Wagner: Lohengrin (excerpts)

The Estonian National Male Choir RAM was founded by the grand old man of Estonian choral music Gustav Ernesaks in 1944. Initially a male choir, specialized on a cappella repertoire, has by today grown into a world-famous professional performer of oratorial works. The choir makes regular recordings for the Estonian Public Broadcasting as well as releases annually CDs under the labels of Deutsche Grammophon, Sony, Warner Classics / Finlandia Records, and Virgin Classics. RAM has given more than 6000 concerts all over Estonia, in the former USSR, in Europe as well as in Israel, Canada and the USA. Currently the choir employs 49 singers.

The Orchestra of the Estonian Defence Forces is a state ceremonial orchestra founded on February 1st, 1993, or more precisely, it was re-established together with the re-establishment of the Estonian Defence Forces after the country had regained its independence. Since 1996, its commander and chief conductor is lieutenant-colonel Peeter Saan. The main task of the orchestra is to perform at all state and military ceremonies as well as receive and see off high-standing state visits and guests. The orchestra gives concerts in military units as well as public concert halls. Initially comprising a staff of 20 musicians, the orchestra today employs 40 professional musicians.

The true identity of the organ featured here was not discovered until 2007. It was originally built in 1913/14 for the “Britannic” ocean liner, sister of the “Titanic”. Because the vessel was used as a hospital ship during World War I, it was probably never installed on the ship’s passenger deck. It has been renovated and called the “Britannic Organ” and is in outstanding condition. Here we have performances by Rumsey, as well as Welte rolls and some of the oldest recordings of historic organists.

Giuseppe Borgatti was Italy's first truly great Wagnerian tenor. His voice was big and powerful and had a beautiful timbre withan astonishing dynamic range. It is argued that recordings do not do his voice justice, but this release will be of interest to collectors.

Additional tracks are sung by Isadoro Fagoaga.

The Norwegian soprano Kirsten Flagstad is considered to be one of the greatest Wagnerian singers of all time. This 10-CD set features recordings from the beginning of her international career in 1935 through to a few years before her death in 1962.

In addition to her celebrated performances of the music of Wagner, she was also capable of delicate feeling in the interpretation of works by Handel, Gluck, Purcell, Weber and Beethoven, and music by these composers, together with a series of Grieg songs, are included in the collection. Finally, no survey of her art would be complete without her famous recording of Richard Strauss’s Four Last Songs from 1950.