Some of you may recall that I was dismissive of the choice of Janowski to lead Pentatone's ambitious project of the complete mature Wagner operas. My one exposure to him performing live was not a happy one, nor did I find what I heard of his 80's Ring cycle to be especially memorable.
How glad I am that I took the plunge and purchased this recording anyway. While perhaps not the last word on "Dutchman", it is nonetheless an effective and at times even thrilling performance. The singers won't make you necessarily forget your favorites in their roles (although Robert Dean Smith is great casting as Erik), and if you are allergic to vibrato, Ricarda Merbeth demonstrates a wide one in her performance of Senta - I found that it didn't bother me after the first, and she does have an otherwise liquid tone. Janowski does not really allow for "repose" - there are a few moments when I wished for just a touch of relaxation, but on the other hand, his vast experience conducting Wagner pays off - never before had I heard the conversational bits of this opera remind me so much of Das Rheingold.
Sounds great in surround. The Radio Symphony Orchestra of Berlin doesn't have the chops of the Berlin Philharmonic, etc., but that doesn't really matter either - they play their hearts out.
Looking forward to Meistersinger!
Tom
Postscript - I read Castor's site review after writing this and find it to be an excellent description of this recording. What I describe as a wide vibrato in Merbeth's voice he describes as a wobble, and he finds more places of relaxation in Janowski's conducting that I did....but still, an accurate review.
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