Kempe's "Zarathustra"

[Larry Kart]

For the first time the work as a whole makes sense to me (and I do have the vaunted and undeniably exciting '54 Reiner-CSO recording):

[David Ayers]

Strauss without singing has never been my cup of tea. Is not a cup of tea in fact.

[uli]

Strauss without singing has never been my cup of tea. Is not a cup of tea in fact.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0ep84Jow-g

Edited January 4, 2015 by uli

[JSngry]

For the first time the work as a whole makes sense to me (and I do have the vaunted and undeniably exciting '54 Reiner-CSO recording):

What elements of cohesion do you find here that are you find lacking in the Reiner?

[Larry Kart]

For the first time the work as a whole makes sense to me (and I do have the vaunted and undeniably exciting '54 Reiner-CSO recording):

What elements of cohesion do you find here that are you find lacking in the Reiner?

In particular, the transition out of the famous "2001" opening passage (which passage in Kempe's performance is kind of "terraced" and yearning, not an at once flaring and sledgehammer-like demonstration of brass firepower) into the Von der Hinterweltlern section and onwards -- the killer perhaps being the Tanzlied, which in the hands of Kempe and the Dresden players borders on delirium, albeit a luscious one. By contrast, the '54 Reiner Zarathustra, brilliant as it is, feels rather sectional to me at times, and I don't think he has an emotional grasp on the Tanzlied, about which a lot of people have had doubts over the years, e.g. Norman Del Mar in Vol. One of his three-volume study of Strauss:

"Of all the controversies started by this curious tone poem, none raged more furiously than those around the Dance of the Superman. For in it Strauss revealed the less-descriminating side of his genius as he had not done since his ill-fated use of 'Funiculi, Funicula' in Aus Italian: the great Nietzschean Tanzlied proves to be a Viennese waltz."

Again, with Kempe, the Tanzlied eventually borders on delirium more or less; it's a Viennese waltz but one (a la Ravel's La Valse) that is dancing close to an abyss; IIRC Reiner's Tanzlied remains delicious, cool, and kind of amiable. (BTW, I wonder if anyone knows who Kempe's inspired solo violinist is.) Further, and in general, "Zarathustra" is a sectional work, musically and dramatically, but in Kempe's hands it doesn't seem to be.

[papsrus]

Thanks for your thoughts on that Larry. By happenstance, I had just listened to the Reiner a day or two before you posted this, and so listened to the Kempe last night to its conclusion. Having only listened to each performance once (the Reiner box just arrived recently), I don't yet have a strong sense of either. But subsequent reading reveals Kempe and the Staatskapelle Dresden were the go-to band for Strauss (I'm sure a well-known fact to you and others). And this recording in particular seems to be included in this EMI box set, which can be had for a pretty good price from third-party sellers.

Comments from Classic Net on this piece:

Kempe makes Zarathustra into a sensuous feast characterized by kaleidoscopic orchestral colors and an enormously wide dynamic range. The Dresden strings really outdo themselves here – rich and mellow in the "Underworld" section, powerful and dramatic in "Of the Great Yearning", and searingly beautiful in "Of Joys and Passions". Equally remarkable is Kempe's unerring sense of drama and his ability to build and sustain a mood. From the brilliant sunrise opening to the mystical and hushed conclusion, this performance grabs your attention immediately and never once lets it go. On records, only Reiner and Koussevitzky have equalled this performance – and all three belong in your collection.

[Larry Kart]

The violinist is Peter Mirring.

[Chuck Nessa]

Damn you Larry. I have and like the Reiner, Kempe and Clemens Krauss recordings. I have been pleased with all of these for 40+ years. Now I have to devote time on this stuff to pick a champ.

I decline. I have too much other stuff to do.

I forgot I have Koussevitsky/Boston from January 1935 - the temptation continues.

Crap, just remembered I have the '62 Reiner as well.

Edited January 5, 2015 by Chuck Nessa