Richard Wagner: Les Maitres Chanteurs de Nuremberg (Extraits) / LP Vinyl

UPC 19 047

Product Features:

• Recording Label: Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft
• Release Year: 1960
• Format: Vinyl (33 RPM)
• Duration: 33 minutes (approx.)
• Country of Release: Germany

Overview

Richard Wagner's "Les Maitres Chanteurs de Nuremberg" is one of the most beloved works in his repertoire. Renowned for its blend of musical complexity and rich character development, this opera showcases Wagner's ability to balance tradition and innovation, capturing a piece of German cultural history while introducing new harmonic ideas. The opera's accessibility and its exploration of themes such as artistic integrity and the tension between tradition and innovation have made it a cornerstone of the Wagnerian canon.

This album features a selection of key excerpts from the opera, showcasing the extraordinary talents of some of the finest opera singers of the 20th century. Under the expert direction of Ferdinand Leitner with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, this recording brings together stellar performances by Wolfgang Windgassen, Josef Herrmann, Annelies Kupper, and Herta Toepper. The recording captures the essence of Wagner's work, from the dynamic choral moments to the intimate monologues of key characters like Hans Sachs.

The album includes highlights such as the "Hymne au Printemps" and Sachs' famous monologues, offering a vivid representation of the opera's intricate musical and thematic layers.

Track Listing

Side One

1. Prélude - Ferdinand Leitner, Orchestre National du Wurttemberg
2. Hymne au Printemps ("Fanget an!") - Wolfgang Windgassen, Ferdinand Leitner, Orchestre Philharmonique de Munich
3. Monologue de Sachs ("Wie duftet doch der Flieder") - Josef Herrmann, Ferdinand Leitner, Orchestre Philharmonique de Munich
4. Monologue de Sachs ("Wahn, Wahn, überall Wahn") - Josef Herrmann, Ferdinand Leitner, Orchestre Philharmonique de Munich
5. Quintette (Selig wie die Sonne) - Annelies Kupper (soprano), Herta Toepper (mezzo-soprano), Richard Holm (tenor), Josef Herrmann (baritone), Wolfgang Windgassen (tenor)
6. Chœur ("Wach auf") - Chœur de la Radiodiffusion Bavaroise

Side Two

1. Airs du Concours ("Morgenlich leuchtend") - Wolfgang Windgassen (tenor), Orchestre Philharmonique de Munich
2. Monologue final de Sachs ("Verachtet mich die Meister nicht") - Josef Herrmann, Orchestre Philharmonique de Munich
3. Chœur de la Radiodiffusion Bavaroise

Key Credits

• Composer: Richard Wagner
• Conductor: Ferdinand Leitner
• Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique de Munich, Orchestre National du Wurttemberg
• Singers: Wolfgang Windgassen, Josef Herrmann, Annelies Kupper, Herta Toepper, Richard Holm
• Chorus: Chœur de la Radiodiffusion Bavaroise
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft
• Production: Recorded in the early 1960s

Box #150