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Tristan und Isolde – Excerpts
While the title roles in this Tristan und Isolde are competently performed, the real interest lies in the supporting cast. Gottlob Frick shines as King Marke, demonstrating that despite his reputation for portraying villains, his voice possessed a beauty unmatched by any bass of his era. Hans Hotter, who would later perform Marke himself, is the ideal Kurwenal, bringing profound compassion to the dying Tristan in Act III, adding yet another layer of heartbreak to the drama.
Margarete Klose, though near the end of her career, delivers a stunning performance as Brangäne. Her luscious, auburn-hued mezzo effortlessly cuts through the orchestra, particularly during Brangäne's warning. Among the leads, Helena Braun performs admirably but lacks the vocal beauty of some of her Wagnerian peers. Similarly, August Seider delivers a solid portrayal of Tristan, though both leads, in comparison to the great Wagnerians of their time, fall slightly short. That said, in today's operatic landscape, their ability to sing these demanding roles without strain would make them highly sought after.
Rudolf Kempe masterfully conducts, creating an atmosphere that is alternately sensual, tense, and bleak.
Track List
Act II
1. Hörst du sie noch?
2. Nicht Hörnerschall tönt so hold
3. Isolde! Tristan! Geliebter!
4. O sink hernieder, Nacht der Liebe
5. Einsam wachend in der Nacht
6. Doch unsre Liebe, heißt sie nicht Tristan und... Isolde?
7. Der öde Tag zum letztenmal!
8. O König, das kann ich dir nicht sagen
2. Nicht Hörnerschall tönt so hold
3. Isolde! Tristan! Geliebter!
4. O sink hernieder, Nacht der Liebe
5. Einsam wachend in der Nacht
6. Doch unsre Liebe, heißt sie nicht Tristan und... Isolde?
7. Der öde Tag zum letztenmal!
8. O König, das kann ich dir nicht sagen
Act III
9. Sahst du noch nichts? Kein Schiff noch auf der See?
10. Die alte Weise was weckt sie mich?
11. Dünkt dich das?
12. Isolde kommt! Isolde naht!
13. Noch ist kein Schiff zu sehn!
14. Und drauf Isolde, wie sie winkt
15. O diese Sonne!
16. Ha! Ich bin's, ich bin's
17. Kurwenal! Hör! Ein zweites Schiff
18. Tot denn alles! Alles tot!
19. Mild und leise
10. Die alte Weise was weckt sie mich?
11. Dünkt dich das?
12. Isolde kommt! Isolde naht!
13. Noch ist kein Schiff zu sehn!
14. Und drauf Isolde, wie sie winkt
15. O diese Sonne!
16. Ha! Ich bin's, ich bin's
17. Kurwenal! Hör! Ein zweites Schiff
18. Tot denn alles! Alles tot!
19. Mild und leise
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3.0
Based on 2 reviews
✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Good Performance in Good Sound!
This is most of Acts Two and Three from a Munich performance of Tristan und Isolde circa 1955. There are a few bits missing from each act, probably because the tape had to be turned over or transmission was briefly lost. We lose a tiny portion of the Love Duet and the beginning and end of Marke's monologue. In Act Three a short bit of Tristan's monologue is missing. Kempe makes the standard cut in the Act Two duet, but otherwise the music is intact.Braun and Seider were both over fifty by this time and there is some wear-and-tear on their voices, but they still sound so much steadier and more reliable than most of today's Wagner singers. Braun's Isolde can be heard complete under Knappertsbusch and Erich Kleiber; Seider's Tristan is a rarer commodity. Hotter, Frick, and Klose are all terrific as is the unlisted Hermann Uhde as Melot. Kempe conducts a lyrical, sweeping performance that makes one regret that Act One is lost or hasn't been found yet.The sound is good. There are some mysterious, fleeting beeps in Act Two and the final Liebestod sounds drafted on from another, noisier source, but overall the sound (from a broadcast) is very listenable.For fans of the singers and the conductor.
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✓ Top Reviewer
France
