In Parsifal, an orchestral quest, commissioned by the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and dedicated to the musicians of this orchestra, Henk de Vlieger has compiled the musical and emotional highlights of Wagner’s last opera, and whenever necessary stitched these into a new context. Thus de Vlieger retells the story of Parsifal with Wagner’s music. In order to do so he has kept the symmetry of the opera through seven sections: 1. Vorspiel, 2. Parsifal, 3. Die Gralsritter I, 4. Die Blumenmädchen, 5. Karfreitagszauber, 6. Die Gralsritter II, 7. Nachspiel.
This arrangement is complemented by the Overture and Venusberg Ballet Scene from Tannhäuser and the concert version of the Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin.
"...Järvi on best of best form here." Rob Barnett - Musicweb-international.com - 18 March 2011
“…The Royal Scottish national Orchestra is on fine fettle – relishing the luxuriance of the Flowermaiden scenes and catching the different moods attendant to Parsifal’s two visits to Montsalvat: the first more harmonious and the second decidedly unsettled. The Good Friday music has a good sense of luminosity and spaciousness. Indeed, the engineers have captured the Orchestra in a good acoustic to pick up many felicities of Wagner’s orchestration without the feeling of undue prominence. The clarity of brass and woodwind brings its own dividends; good bells, too!”
Alexander Campbell
“Excellent playing.” “… it’s a splendid disc.” *****
Richard Lawrence
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Kenneth Walton
