Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nurnburg Gundula Janowitz, Sandor Konya, Thomas Stewart, Thomas Hemsley, Franz Crass, Brigitte Fassbaender, Gerhard Unger; Rafael Kubelik
There is no better “Meistersinger” than Kubelik’s, for it is wonderful on every level. He conducts an unforced interpretation, showing a gratifying grasp of overall structure. The reading has a cohesion achieved within flexible tempi and dynamics. Everything proceeds at a well-judged pace with just the right surge of emotion at the climaxes. Under Kubelik’s magical leadership, we hear Wagner’s orchestration to vivacious, differentiated, and characterful effect. The cast is exceptional. Gundula Janowitz’s Eva radiates lightness and joy, and there are few better sung performances of this role on disc. The young Brigitte Fassbaender is an excellent Magdelene. Thomas Stewart’s warm, focused sonority, along with his rock-solid, unfussy musicianship add up to one of the most satisfying portrayals of Hans Sachs on recordings. He offers a finely moulded, deeply considered reading that relies on firm, evenly produced tone to create a darkish, philosophical poet-cobbler. Sandor Konya’s totally committed Walther is simply the most winning Walther on any set, by virtue of his passionate delivery. He pours out consistently warm, clear tone, his tenor hovering ideally between the lyric and the heroic. Thomas Hemsley sings Beckmesser “straight,” and it’s nice to encounter a lighter, but full-voiced characterization than the overtly comedic assumptions we sometimes hear. We can see why Beckmesser, annoying as he can be, is one of the Mastersingers! Franz Crass, a less pompous Pogner than some, sings his part effortlessly, with noble feeling. Unger is a paragon among Davids, so eager in his responses and finding just the right timbre for the role. With a characterful Kothner in Engen, an ideal “Meistersinger” ensemble is in place. The recording is fresh, making this the first choice among stereo versions. As a bonus, Myto offers, on the fourth CD, several 78’s featuring Franz Völker, Lauritz Melchior, and Alexander Kipnis in selections from “Meistersinger.”
Richard Wagner  (Composer),     Rafael Kubelik  (Conductor),     Thomas Stewart  (Performer),     Gundula Janowitz  (Performer),     Brigitte Fassbaender  (Performer),     Sandor Konya  (Performer),     Thomas Hemsley  (Performer),     Franz Crass  (Performer),     Gerhard Unger  (Performer),     Kieth Engen Keith Engen  (Performer),     Karl Christian Kohn  (Performer),     Anton Diakov  (Performer)    &                   9                  more   Format: Audio CD
{"Is Discontinued By Manufacturer": "No", "Package Dimensions": "5.55 x 4.97 x 0.54 inches; 2.83 Ounces", "Manufacturer": "Cantus Classics, Abridged", "Date First Available": "March 5, 2006", "Label": "Cantus Classics, Abridged", "Number of discs": "4"}