Here is yet another surprise recording, in the best mono sound available, from the vaults of German Radio. In it we get the youngish Astrid Varnay’s amazingly secure Salome, sung as if it were easy, with long phrases sung quietly and every big, above-the-staff note perfectly placed and rippingly exciting. And she inflects the text with real thoughtfulness and creates for us a wonderfully perverse little Princess. My only gripe is that Varnay never quite sounds young–it’s always the voice of a mature woman–and I prefer a certain girlishness in the role (Caballé on RCA is ideal). But that aside, wow! As solid, if not as imaginative, is the Jochanaan of Hans Braun and the Narraboth of Hans Hopf (exhibiting none of the epic ugliness his voice later took on). Julius Patzak is a terrifically loony Herdodes and Margaret Klose’s Herodias completes the nasty little picture. Both, I’m happy to report, actually sing most of their notes. Hermann Weigert’s leadership is a bit kapellmeisterish–very sensible and energetic (and fast!)–but affording no particular insights into Strauss’ dazzling score. The Bavarian Radio Orchestra is excellent.
