Fritz Lehmann

Rudolf Kempe’s excellent reputation as a conductor of Richard Strauss is justly deserved. In this recording, he is joined by the inimitable Paul Tortelier in Strauss’ whimsical Don Quixote. He conducts the Berlin Philharmonic in a superb recording of Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche and the CD also features the same orchestra in an unjustly neglected performance of Don Juan conducted by Fritz Lehmann.

‘This is one of the great classics of the gramophone........... Highly recommended.’ Gramophone of Don Quixote and Til Eulenspiegels

Gerhard Taschner became the concertmaster in Brno at the age of seventeen, and shortly thereafter Wilhelm Furtwängler appointed him to the same post in Berlin. Taschner was one of the twentieth century’s top talents, and the fascination with which this genial musician held his public spellbound is documented on this brand-new release featuring the violin concertos of Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky – with an encore in the form of Sarasate’s Gypsy Airs.

Recorded 1952-4

Recorded in Munich, 1952

This recording of Don Pasquale, despite its age (1932), has long been regarded as the yardstick by which all subsequent versions of this sparkling opera have been measured. Still in fine voice, Ernesto Badini (1876 - 1937) in the title role was undoubtedly the finest basso buffo of the day - he was London's first Gianni Schicchi) and Tito Schipa was at the height of his career. Saraceni and Poli were also matchless in their roles. Also included are rare highlights in German with Rita Streich and Josef Greindl stylishly conducted by Fritz Lehmann, some tracks of which are on CD for the first time. There is also space for two further bonuses: Streich singing Norina's aria in Italian and the legendary version of Pronta io son with Lotte Schöne and Willi Domgraf-Fassbänder

A welcome back to this famous recording from the vaults of the Yellow Label, with the great Rita Streich and Gisela Litz.

An opera based on a children’s tale, but by no means childish! The inherent horror of the tale is painted in Wagnerian colours and the dramatic tension is spine-tingling!

Poor Humperdinck! Remembered today for just one work, overshadowed by both Wagner and Richard Strauss (the final indignity came with having his name taken by a 1960s crooner!), he was highly respected by both his colleagues, and assisted Wagner at Bayreuth in 1881-2 working on the premiere of Parsifal. Of his nine works for stage, Hansel und Gretel has remained a firm favourite in opera houses around the world. A skilful blend of Weber’s Der Freischütz, Wagner’s Meistersinger and Siegfried, it weaves a magical spell upon the listener. Conjuring up all the childhood fears of what lives in deep in the forest, and things that go bump in the night (this is after all based on a Grimm Brothers tale!), Humperdinck’s magical score is full of wonderful tunes.