It's fun to consider that at the time of this recording, Richard Strauss was still very much a "contemporary" composer. And although Elektra had been around for a couple of decades, one gets the sense—thanks to the masterful conducting of Eugen Jochum—that the ink was not at all dry. His interpretation is bursting with vitality and refreshingly free from the traditions that have ossified so many modern performances. Notably, a number of the standard cuts have been opened, allowing the full impact of the score to come through. Erna Schlüter is a powerhouse in the title role, equally compelling in the drama and the quieter moments. Her breath control alone—heard in the included sample—is astounding and would rival even the greatest Norma.