WAGNER, R.: Tristan und Isolde (M. Janowski)

NEW WAGNER EDITION

To celebrate its 10th anniversary PentaTone has decided to embark on a unique project: Recording the 10 major Wagner operas with the same forces. Never before a record company has recorded all Wagner opera’s with the same Orchestra, Choir and conductor.

This project became possible since the Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester Berlin had decided to program all the Wagner opera’s in three seasons in concert performances. Marek Janowski the Music Director of the Orchestra (who a.o. recorded the first digital Ring cycle in Dresden) felt that in Berlin with its 3 opera houses too much attention went to the mis en scene and wanted to enable the audiences of his orchestra to listen to the music Wagner has composed without being detracted by the way stage directors and set designers influence the Wagner experience and detract from the music. For the full story we refer to the (video) interview with Marek Janowski which was done by the magazine "Gramophone" which will soon be posted on the Gramophone website. A short version of the interview will be published by "Gramophone" in the print version of the awards issue of the magazine (street date: 7 October 2011).

Partners in the project are Deutschland Radio and the Rundfunk Chor Berlin.

Each opera will only be performed once. Concerts take place in the Philharmonie in Berlin, one of the "homes" of the orchestra (the other one is the Konzerthaus in former East Berlin). The decision to do the concerts in the prestigious Philharmonie, -which was best suited for the mega forces needed for the Wagner operas- immediate triggered a lot of logistical problems since most of the year the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is giving its performances in this venue. Not just 10 free nights were needed spread over 3 seasons, but also at least three days prior to each concert for rehearsals. Only after all the free "slots" had been found the selection of (top) singers could start.

***** Exceptional

Giorgio Ramphone - Musica magazine - March 2013

"...this is the most "alive" dramatic, excitingly sung and conducted performance of the opera since the late Karl Böhm did it at the Orange Festival back in July 1973 ... It’s nearly that good in performance quality, and the sonics are immeasurably better ... Despite having been recorded in concert, without stage movement, this performance still grabs one’s attention with its dramatic impetus, as much at Toscanini’s concert performances of Verdi operas did back in the 1940’s and early ’50’s. You can never substitute for the excitement in a live performance, and this recording certainly provides that in spades. One great example: listen to the third act. I’ve personally never heard anyone’s performance of Tristan sung this dramatically; it completely rivets you to the speakers and doesn’t let go... I exhort you to acquire it. Even with Flagstad’s abridged 1936 performance or the Nilsson-Vickers on your shelf, this may become the Tristan you end up playing most often."

Lynn René Bayley - Fanfare - March/April 2013

Performance *** Recording ***

Michael Tanner - BBC Music magazine - February 2013

Music **** (Very Good) Sound **** (VeryGood)

Gerhard Persché - Fono Fourm magazine - January 2013

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WAGNER, R.: Tristan und Isolde (M. Janowski)

Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra

Janowski, Marek

Johan Reuter

Michelle Breedt

Nina Stemme

Marek Janowski

Arttu Kataja

Stephen Gould

Simon Pauly

Clemens Bieber

Berlin Radio Choir

Opera

WAGNER, R.: Tristan und Isolde (M. Janowski)

RICHARD WAGNER

Tristan und Isolde