The Tannhäuser Overture and Bacchanale (two separate selections in this instance) make up Georg Solti’s contribution to this collection. His interpretations are of his usual brash and muscular variety, though he does get the Vienna Philharmonic to reveal its more delicate contours for the Bacchanale music. The 1962 recording is transparent if a little harsh around the edges. In the 1970s Horst Stein made a series of fine recordings with the VPO, including this Wagner set. From the first ringing chord of the Flying Dutchman overture, you are struck by the advances in recording technology during the intervening years: a wide dynamic range and solid three-dimensional imaging, combined with fully fleshed-out sonorities. This is around the same time as the famous Böhm/VPO Bruckner Fourth, and here again Decca has captured the special sonic properties of the Sofiensaal and reproduced them beautifully.
All of this would be meaningless if the performances weren’t first rank, and happily Stein’s are just that. The Dutchman sounds as if taking wing, Lohengrin shimmers, Die Meistersinger is all pomp and majesty, and Tristan releases its pent-up passion (though it’s left to Karajan to fully realize the erotic ecstasy of this last). This disc provides the perfect antidote to Gerd Albrecht’s misguidedly smooth and slick readings on Chandos, and makes a great budget Wagner collection. Good job, Eloquence! Now, how about Stein’s excellent VPO Bruckner Second and Sixth?
