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Which SACD version of this work to get as a first recording-- this one, or Kleiber's on DG?
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Post by Jonty February 5, 2012 (2 of 4)
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A tricky one.
Previtali - Old recording although one of the better Living Stereo operas. Moffo good, Tucker sounds too old, Merrill fine. Average conducting. Soggy chorus.
Kleiber - Not one of DGs better days in the studio sound wise. Over miked with voices well forward and generally rather claustrophobic. SACD sounds slightly better than the RBCD and is an early SACD transfer.They would probably do a better transfer these days. Cotrubas very good but some react badly to her flutter. Domingo good but is his baritonal tenor really suited to the young lover? Milnes fine. Kleiber is prone to rushing things although it is all done with wonderful precision.
Mehta - Well recorded but it is live so there are noises off and applause. Mehta very good without in any way rethinking the piece. Harteros good, very heartfelt but really it is a 'Leonora' (Forza del Destino) voice. Beczala good and youthful. Gavanelli good.
I doubt if that is much help really but just one performance of a standard rep. piece is not enough.
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Post by Claude February 5, 2012 (3 of 4)
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I'm surprised the Kleiber SACD is still available at regular price, as all Deutsche Grammophon SACDs are now OOP, and Kleiber has a lot of fans. Whereas the Living Stereo SACD has already reached fantasyland prices on the Amazon Marketplace.
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Gentlemen, thanks for your input! The only wise solution is not to settle for just one version-- but, essentially for the reasons Claude outlines, I grabbed the Kleiber at Amazon for a flat $25.02 (no tax or shipping). I figure one has to seize opportunities quickly in these waning days of the CD era.....
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