Willy Boskovsky, Staatskapelle Dresden, Ileana Cotrubaș, Marita Solberg, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra - Schubert: Drama "Rosamunde", R. Strauss: Four Last Songs - Import SACD Hybrid

Credits:

Willy Boskovsky, Staatskapelle Dresden, Ileana Cotrubaș, Marita Solberg, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra

Description:

Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the composition and premiere of "Rosamunde". The rare "Rosamunde" conducted by Boskovsky at the Staatskapelle Dresden is now available on SACD for the first time in the world! Excellent recording. Includes the famous performance by Kuse (S) & Neumann in the margins. Mastered only in the analog domain and converted directly to DSD! This is the 29th SACD hybrid version of the latest reissue project of ETERNA's original analog tapes in Japan. The recording was made by Eterna and EMI on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Schubert's death in 1978. The orchestra is the Staatskapelle Dresden, which boasts a tradition of nearly 500 years. Vienna and Dresden have in common that they are both court cities, and this combination was a great success. The orchestra responded to Boskovsky's lyrical expression with rich and tasteful sound and expression. The singing of Kotlbasch (S) and the Leipzig Radio Choir and the beautiful sound of the Dresden Luke Church are also attractive. The coupling is the 1964 recording of R. Strauss' "Four Last Songs" (composed in 1948) by the Gewandhaus Orchestra conducted by Küse (S.) Neumann. The music and performance are richly romantic, depicting the starting and ending points of Romanticism along with Schubert's works. Rosamunde" was originally composed for the play "Rosamunde, Queen of Cyprus" by Hermine von Scheszy (1783-1856), who wrote the libretto for Weber's opera "Euryanthe" and wrote it in a hurry to get rid of the poor reception it received at its premiere in Vienna (October 25, 1823), It is a remarkable work that Schubert wrote in a very short period of time until December 20 of the same year, the date of its premiere (the performance was cancelled after the next day's rescheduling). (The performance was cancelled the following day.) The overture to the opera "Alfonso e Estrella", which had been composed earlier, was used for the first performance.The overture to "The Magic Lyre," composed in 1820, was later used as the overture to "Rosamunde," and is now generally used, including on major recordings. The overture to "Alfonso and Estrella" is the first piece on this Boscovsky disc, which is different from the others. In addition, the overture to "The Magic Lyre" is included on the last track, allowing the audience to enjoy both pieces. The performance is a rare masterpiece, with the orchestra's solid expression and tone added to the deep nostalgic expression of the Boscovsky-led Viennese sentiment. The beauty of the famous "Interlude No. 3," which is also used in the String Quartet No. 13 "Rosamunde" D804 and the Improvisation in B-flat major, D935, Op. 142-3, is beyond compare. In addition, Kotlbasch and the Leipzig Radio Choir are wonderful and add to the masterful recording. (1/2)