WAGNER DIE WALKURE TODESVERKUNDIGUNGSZENE FLAGSTAD SVANHOLM SOLTI 1957

[@RModillo]

While Decca was having fun figuring out how to make stereo exciting, the VPO was in one of its gamier periods.

[@kyrie73]

Actually I have posted this for Solti's sake. I absolutely hate his complete Ring recording b/c I think it is fake and Hollywoodized but the 1957 Walkuere act 3, and this scene (which originally was the 4th side of the 2 LP set) is something else altogether. Solti is here with the greats in managing to cover the whole gamut of emotion and make a believable transition from the opening Grave to the hectic final exchanges.

[@VivaRenata]

I agree with you 100%. This was part of a test run for that complete Ring. It's a shame for all involved (and posterity) that Flagstad and Svanholm were older at that time and so we were left with the lesser capacities of Nilsson and Windgassen. Moreover, Solti really did not understand the Romantic tradition, which with most conductors of his generation was reduced to superficial effects. But you can be grateful for what remains, and this is pure perfection!

[@ER1CwC]

@@VivaRenata There is zero basis to say that Nilsson had "lesser capacities." She was one of the greatest singers of the century with one of the greatest voices. That is simply not a matter up for debate. Flagstad v. Nilsson is purely a matter of taste. I won't quibble over Windgassen, although he was certainly dependable and more than respectable. But the Siegmund in that set was James King, whose status as one of the great Siegmund's is also not a matter up for debate.

[@fairplaynationalist2]

I know this is about Flagstad and I would't dare say a thing against her but for me the thing about this upload i that it has the best "Zauberfest" that i've come across so far on youtube

[@kyrie73]

This is very, very difficult to conduct well and most ppl wreck the scene, which IMO is the most beautiful of the entire tetralogy

[@petatap]

I would like to know what you think about the Karl Böhm- recording with his different approach (much faster).

[@kedemberger8773]

@@petatap imo he pretty much ruins the scene (like Krauss and Keilberth). The 1st tempo really needs to be imposing and sombre (and slow) to let us (and the characters) 'digest' the scene.

[@fairplaynationalist2]

No Viva I'm referring to 18.25 onwards on this video as Siegmund sings whlie Sieglinda sleeps, hence Zauberfest

[@VivaRenata]

What do you mean by "Zauberfest"? Are you referring to the third act of Walküre?

[@petatap]

18:20 Siegmund: "Zauberfest bezähmt ein Schlaf der Holden Schmerz und Harm": "zauberfest" here is an neologistic adjective created by Wagner. It might mean (more interpretations are possible): safe from all spells / magic (Zauber). "fest" can mean "strong", "firm" (wasserfest = waterproof).

[@lisamatveeva9688]

I have always thought it meant Sieglinde's sleep is deep because it is enchanted (Brünnhilde made her fall asleep by magic or something)

[@petatap]

@@lisamatveeva9688 well, maybe. You could see it that way.

[@VivaRenata]

@@petatap Thanks for clarifying. This had passed me by!

[@petatap]

Who is the man on the photo in 10:00 ?

[@claeszeipel618]

It id Set Svanholm 1922 with the White Student cap which you could wear when you had passed the ”student-examen” which allowed for universiry studies. Svanholm took his exam in Västerås.