EMI SLS 5139 RICHARD STRAUSS: SALOME- KARAJAN / VIENNA
$
67
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Description
RICHARD STRAUSS
SALOME
(Complete Opera)
HILDEGARD BEHRENS (Soprano)
JOSE VAN DAM (Baritone)
KARL WALTER-BOHM (Tenor)
AGNES BALTSA (Mezzo-Soprano)
WIESLAW OCHMAN (Tenor)
HELJA ANGERVO (Alto)
VIENNA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
CONDUCTED BY
HERBERT von KARAJAN
EMI SLS 5139
STEREO
Original 1978 EMI 2-record box set. English pressing. Black-and-white dog in postage stamp label. The LPs are MINT and appear unplayed. Surfaces are smooth and retain their original lustre. There is no sign of spider tracery around either spindle hole. The box is MINT, and the cover is autographed by soprano Hildegard Behrens. The illustrated booklet and libretto, which is written in German and English, is MINT and spotlessly clean.
Of this great recording, Ted Libbey of Amazon wrote: "Herbert von Karajan's mastery of the opulent idiom of Richard Strauss is everywhere apparent in ... Salome, made in conjunction with the first-ever Salzburg Festival production of the opera, conducted and directed by the Salzburg-born maestro. Never has the shimmering, feverish intensity of Strauss' colorful scoring been more tellingly captured on [record], although Karajan's fastidious direction and iron grip on the music are only part of the reason: a good deal of credit belongs to the Vienna Philharmonic, which was in top form on this outing. As Salome, soprano Hildegard Behrens makes a strong impression. This was the production that brought her into the international spotlight, where she would remain for a dozen years or so.... Although a newcomer, she was a mature artist...with a potent instrument.... Jose van Dam makes a regal Jochanaan, and Karl-Walter Bohm gives a [smarmy] spot-on characterization as Herodes. The ensemble work is superb, once again reflecting Karajan's...attention to detail. The recording--made in the Sofiensaal, [produced by Michel Glotz] and engineered by a Decca team headed by James Lock--is splendidly balanced and imposing in its impact."
In sum, this is easily the best conducted Salome in recorded history. Example, Salome's 'Dance of the Seven Veils' is one of the most sensual interludes ever heard--it exudes the sexual reckoning of youth that turns from fantasy to orgasm to savagery with bloody head in hand. An ode to sensuousness? You bet. A gr-reat performane! Superb sound!
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More records coming in the following weeks, meanwhile take a look at my Other Items For Sale currently being offered. Treasures abound.
Good luck bidding!
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