Your guide to classical music online

Strauss: Zarathustra/Ormandy

David Hurwitz

Artistic Quality:

Sound Quality:

Eugene Ormandy recorded Zarathustra a whole bunch of times for at least three labels: CBS, RCA, and EMI (the last time an early digital recording). He always played the piece well, but this RCA version probably was the best of them–it also sounded terrific on the less-than-fabulous systems that I and my high school chums owned, and it’s still pretty impressive for RCA working in Philly. This is one of the few versions that doesn’t get duller as it goes: the finale Dance Song (Tanzlied), and the culminating banging of the midnight bell, really does constitute the climax of the piece, and of course it’s fabulously played.

Don Quixote never was Ormandy’s strongest effort in Strauss, though it’s nice to have the excellent Philadelphia first-desk players taking the solo parts rather than more famous “ringers”. What this performance lacks, however nicely played, is humor, as well as contrast between the variations. It’s not dull, but Ormandy’s full-steam-ahead approach doesn’t make enough out of, say, the sheep, or the flight through the air, or even the Don’s death. Still, this is a valuable release in Japanese RCA’s Ormandy edition, available on-demand from Arkivmusic.com.


Recording Details:

Reference Recording: Kempe (EMI)

RICHARD STRAUSS - Also Sprach Zarathustra; Don Quixote

  • Record Label: RCA - 38287
  • Medium: CD

Search Music Reviews

Search Sponsor

  • Insider Reviews only
  • Click here for Search Tips

Visit Our Merchandise Store

Visit Store
  • Ideally Cast Met Revival of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette
    Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, NY; March 19, 2024—The Met has revived Bartlett Sher’s 1967 production of Gounod’s R&J hot on the heels of its
  • An Ozawa Story, November, 1969
    Much has justifiably been written regarding Seiji Ozawa’s extraordinary abilities and achievements as a conductor, and similarly about his generosity, graciousness, and sense of humor
  • Arvo Pärt’s Passio At St. John The Divine
    Cathedral of St John the Divine, New York, NY; January 26, 2024—When one thinks of musical settings of Christ’s Passion, one normally thinks of the