Keilberth: Wagner – Der Fliegende Hollander (2 CD, APE)

Performer: Astrid Varnay, Elisabeth Schartel, Hermann Uhde, Josef Traxel, Ludwig Weber, Rudolf Lustig et al.
Orchestra: Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
Conductor: Joseph Keilberth
Composer: Richard Wagner
Audio CD
SPARS Code: ADD
Number of Discs: 2
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: Testament
Size: 694 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Disc: 1
01. Overture
02. Hojohe! Hallojo! Ho! Hallohe! (Daland, Stuermann, Choir, Orchestra)
03. Mit Gewitter und Sturm (Steuermann)
04. Die Frist ist um (Flying Dutchman)
05. He! Holla ! Steuermann ! (Flying Dutchman, Daland,Steuermann, Choir)
06. Durch Sturm und bosen Wind
07. Wenn aus der Qualen Schreckgewalten (The Flying Dutchman, Daland)
08. Sudwind ! Sudwind ! (Steuermann, choir, Daland, the Flying Dutchman)
09. Introduction (orchestra)
10. Summ’ und brumm” (Spinning chorus- Choir, Mary, Senta)
11. Johohoe! Johohohoe! Johohoe! Johoe
12. Senta ! Willst du mich verderben? (Senta, chorus, Mary, Erik) Bleib, Senta, Bleib (Erik)

Disc: 2
01. Mein Herz, vol Treue
02. Fuhlst du den Schmerz (Erik, Senta)
03. Mein Kind, du siehst mich (Daland, Senta)
04. Mogst du, mein Kind (Daland)
05. Wie aus der Ferne
06. Wirst du des Vaters, Wahl (Flying Dutchman, Senta)
07. Verzeiht ! (Daland, Senta, Flying Dutchman)
08. Orchestral interlude Steuermann, lass die Wacht! (Sailor’s chorus) (Choir, Steuermann)
09. Johohoe ! Johohoe ! Hoe ! Hoe ! Hoe !(Choir)
10. Was muss ich horen! (Erik, Senta)
11. Willst jenes Tags (Erik)
12. Verloren! Ach, verloren! (Flying Dutchman, Erik, Senta, Daland, Mary, Choir)

Keilberth’s great Der Fliegende Hollander.

When I was about 16, I was given this recording of this opera,and no other recording I have heard has ever come near it. When I wrote my review on Wagner’s Vision,a 50 CD set of his operas recorded 1960-1930’s,I mentioned that this Flying Dutchman was No 1,and the same for the Solti Wagner opera set.(Amazon.co.uk). Why you may ask? Keilberth catches the inner tension of the piece and brings out the beauty of the score,unlike any other conductor I have heard. He becomes the music. A mere vessel for it as it were. The Hollander,Hermann Uhde,has a distinctive voice,with an emotional intensity. He is able to encourage Swedish-American,Astrid Varnay,to use her huge voice which is almost mezzo,in an sensitive manner,which fits Keilberth’s concept.Daland- Ludwig Weber,Erik- Rudolf Lustig,der Steurmann- Josef Traxel and Mary- Elisabeth Schartel, all give of their very best. It is as if,the singers have been inspired by a magic fire,lit within their inner selves by Keilberth’s conducting of this fine music.There is no recording past or present that can touch this rendition of this opera.