Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9519 in Music
• Released on: 2001-09-03
• Number of discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Dimensions: .93 pounds
• Running time: 256 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
It's not surprising that this sublime performance of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde has remained on the market for so long: Wilhelm Furtwängler's reading of the tale with Ludwig Suthaus, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Kirsten Flagstad is probably definitive. The conductor is peerless at achieving a strong sense of direction throughout the epic length. Carlos Kleiber's controversial version with the Dresden State Orchestra might boast orchestral fireworks (abetted by modern recording technology), but if you're looking for a Tristan where the singing takes centre stage, this is the recording to buy. --Joshua Cody

Customer Reviews

Flagstad and Suthaus give immortal performances
Yes, this is a fifty year old mono recording, but the sound quality is very good, it is spatial. The remastering onto CD has enhanced the clarity of sound. The conducting is amazing, as one would expect, and the orchestra are of the highest quality. But it is Flagstad who is the revelation. Having heard the Bohm/Nilsson DG set and thinking it couldn't be better, I recently bought this one, realising straight away this is one of the finest recordings of an opera ever produced. Furtwangler takes the work at the correct speed, unlike Bohm's over paced conducting. Flagstad is the selling point though. She has both power and vulnerability. Once you have heard this performance you will find all other recordings stand in it's shadow. Do yourself a favour and buy it, you won't be disppointed.

A perfect blend of music and drama by a magical team
A word on behalf of this legendary set's cast. Obviously the team of Flagstad and Furtwangler are the ultimate selling point, however.....

Suthaus has a most attractive masculine heldentenor voice. His is the best of any other Tristan on the market. His tone is more beautiful than Jon Vickers (compare them by listening to the EMI Karajan stereo set). As for complaints that he is strained, his duets with Flagstad are masterful and his performance in Act III is amazing, very moving without being course or histrionic. The end of Act II sound's just as it should, given his charater's waves of erotic and romantic emotion. He lives his role perfectly and has a powerful voice that matches his heroines artistically.

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau's portrayal of a youthful Kurwenal is of the highest artistic order. I say no more.

Many criticise Blanche Thebom. However, she is never less than highly competent in the role of Brangane. She is a perfect foil for Flagstad's incomparable Isolde. This is a significant role. One that in the wrong hands can threaten to dominate and rival rather than balance with the female lead. Thebom sounds what her role is, a servant of Isolde's, not her rival. Her voice is not unattractive, and suits her role perfectly. Artistically she serves Flagstad, with just enough edginess in her voice to denote her character's wary nervous tension.

Greindl sounds just right as the mature monarch cuckolded by his trophy wife. He sound's angry in Act II, just as his character should. There are prettier voiced interpretations. But his voice perfectly suits the drama.

I am amazed by reviews that overlook the considerable achievement everyone concerned put into this recording. The casting may have been expeditious, but it gave us performances that are dramatically compelling. It is legendary because everybody gave of their considerable best, and tuly inhabited their roles.

Wagner wrote a music-drama. This set represents a perfect blend of both. Buy this set and you will not be disappointed by anyone of the cast.

Furtwängler.The greatest of conductors.
This is a staggering interpretation . One of the best examples you can get of Furtwängler 's interpretative powers . His conception is on such an exalted plane , as to defy description. Just to listen to the third act , and hear how he brings Suthaus and the Philharmonia into his cosmic vision , is an experience not to be forgotten . The 1997 remastering is very successful , making an already good recorded sound even better.This is probabely the greatest opera recording on the market.