BEETHOVEN / WAGNER

 

Sir Georg Solti, Birgit Nilsson

 

Beethoven

Symphony No. 3 ‘Eroica’

London Symphony Orchestra / Sir Georg Solti

Recorded: Royal Festival Hall, London, 30 January 1968

 

Wagner

Siegfried’s Rhine Journey

Tristan und Isolde - Prelude & Liebestod

Birgit Nilsson

The Covent Garden Orchestra / Sir Georg Solti

Royal Albert Hall, London, 6 September 1963

 

This CD brings together two superstars of the last 50 years, Sir Georg Solti and the great Swedish soprano Birgit Nilsson. The release was originally timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary (2007) of Solti's death and his 10 years spent at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden - but was delayed a year due to contractual negotiations - both the Wagner tracks are with the Covent Garden Orchestra, as it was known then, at the Proms in 1963. Solti's Beethoven is well known for its robust energy but this version of the 'Eroica' with the LSO is quite relaxed yet powerful and extremely beautiful.

 

Solti and Nilsson were linked both on stage and particularly in the recording studio by Richard Strauss and Wagner. Solti's famous Wagner's 'Ring' cycle for Decca has been one of the monuments of the classical recording industry for many years and Nilsson's Brunnhilde is one of the phenomenon's of that celebrated set. She is here recorded live with a passionate accompaniment driven by Solti in the great Prelude & Liebestod from Wagner's Tristan und Isolde where Nilsson's voice is so powerful that it dominates the ROH Orchestra even in the greatest climaxes.

 

Wagner's Siegfried's Rhine Journey gives us a flavour of Solti in Wagner's 'Ring' providing tremendous attack and excitement.

 

The CD has been recorded in excellent stereo sound and transferred with exceptional care by Paul Baily.

 

Stereo

 

BBC Legends BBCL42392