May: R. Strauss - Don Quixote
Re: May: R. Strauss - Don Quixote
Richard Strauss
Don Quixote (Introduction)
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Herbert von Karajan - conducting.
I have had this recording in my collection for some time now and I am grateful to Darren for starting this thread because I am now persuaded to listen to it and I am really enjoying it too.
Introduction:
This is a powerful, colourful performance, full of dramatic tension, power and menace. It is splendid.
"To appreciate the greatness of the Masters is to keep faith in the greatness of humanity." - Wilhelm Furtwängler
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Re: May: R. Strauss - Don Quixote
Theme: Don Quixote, the Knight of the Sorrowful Countenance
DQ being a set of variations on a theme(s), we next hear Don Quixote's theme. The solo cello marks out a strident march-like theme and then settles into a romantic evocation of his 'sorrowful countenance'.
Sancho Panza
Next, Strauss paints a picture of Sancho Panza - a more rambuctuous theme which utilises solo tuba alongside the solo viola. This is a quirky theme which has enough variance from Don Quixote's own theme to work.
Variation I: The Adventure with the Windmills
The themes are used here in the first variation, one which advances the 'plot' of the piece. Don, upon seeing a field of windmills he perceives as giants, prepares for battle. A battle which will inevitably prove fruitless as the first windmill he attacks destroys his lance and sends him tumbling from his steed. Interlaced with this narrative is a theme for Don's unrequited love, Dulcinea, for full romantic strings. After listening closely to this variation I can hear what Strauss was attempting more - the skirmish is represented clearly withthe DQ theme is used cleverly, and the doleful solo cello encapsulates the Don's failure whilst also rising at the end into gallant hope, ready for the next variation....
DQ being a set of variations on a theme(s), we next hear Don Quixote's theme. The solo cello marks out a strident march-like theme and then settles into a romantic evocation of his 'sorrowful countenance'.
Sancho Panza
Next, Strauss paints a picture of Sancho Panza - a more rambuctuous theme which utilises solo tuba alongside the solo viola. This is a quirky theme which has enough variance from Don Quixote's own theme to work.
Variation I: The Adventure with the Windmills
The themes are used here in the first variation, one which advances the 'plot' of the piece. Don, upon seeing a field of windmills he perceives as giants, prepares for battle. A battle which will inevitably prove fruitless as the first windmill he attacks destroys his lance and sends him tumbling from his steed. Interlaced with this narrative is a theme for Don's unrequited love, Dulcinea, for full romantic strings. After listening closely to this variation I can hear what Strauss was attempting more - the skirmish is represented clearly withthe DQ theme is used cleverly, and the doleful solo cello encapsulates the Don's failure whilst also rising at the end into gallant hope, ready for the next variation....
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Re: May: R. Strauss - Don Quixote
Quite co-incidentally I recently bought some BBC Music magazines, one of which has a Building a Library piece on Don Quixote. There's been some really helpful pointers offered by some of you so far, but I will also list the choices offered by David Nice in the magazine.
The first choice was David Zinman/Tonhalle Orchestra
Also recommended:-
Surprisingly no mention of Reiner or Kempe. This indicates to me that the range of recordings for Don Quixote serve the piece well.
The first choice was David Zinman/Tonhalle Orchestra
Also recommended:-
Surprisingly no mention of Reiner or Kempe. This indicates to me that the range of recordings for Don Quixote serve the piece well.
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Re: May: R. Strauss - Don Quixote
I wish her well and look forward to your input...fergus wrote:Darren, my daughter is in the middle of year end exams at the moment so there are long periods of silence imposed in our household. I therefore cannot use my system nearly as much as I would like and I dislike using headphones. All should be restored to normal later this week where I will weigh in after I get some serious listening done to my versions of Don Quixote.
Re: May: R. Strauss - Don Quixote
I'm awaiting delivery of the Zinman as we speak, plus a slightly left-field choice of the NSOI which I bought out of curiosity, but which actually got a solid review somewhere or other. We'll see.
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Sitting Room: Wadia 581SE - Rega Planar 3/AT VM95ML & SH - Bluesound Node II - Copland CSA 100 - Audioplan Kontrast 3
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Re: May: R. Strauss - Don Quixote
Please, let us know how you get on with themDiapason wrote:I'm awaiting delivery of the Zinman as we speak, plus a slightly left-field choice of the NSOI which I bought out of curiosity, but which actually got a solid review somewhere or other. We'll see.
Re: May: R. Strauss - Don Quixote
Seán wrote:
Richard Strauss
Don Quixote (Introduction)
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Herbert von Karajan - conducting.
I have had this recording in my collection for some time now and I am grateful to Darren for starting this thread because I am now persuaded to listen to it and I am really enjoying it too.
Introduction:
This is a powerful, colourful performance, full of dramatic tension, power and menace. It is splendid.
I am not surprised that you find that performance to be good; I have long been a promoter of von Karajan as being one of the greatest exponents of the music of R Strauss.
To be is to do: Socrates
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
Re: May: R. Strauss - Don Quixote
bombasticDarren wrote: The first choice was David Zinman/Tonhalle Orchestra
I have that and it is also a fine version. Zinman was also a very good Strauss interpreter.
To be is to do: Socrates
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
Re: May: R. Strauss - Don Quixote
The Zinman arrived yesterday, I stuck it on but immediately got called away to something else so could only listen out of the corner of my ear. I don't think I recognised any of it, what was a bit of a surprise.
Nerdcave: ...is no more!
Sitting Room: Wadia 581SE - Rega Planar 3/AT VM95ML & SH - Bluesound Node II - Copland CSA 100 - Audioplan Kontrast 3
Kitchen: WiiM Pro - Wadia 151 - B&W 685s2
Sitting Room: Wadia 581SE - Rega Planar 3/AT VM95ML & SH - Bluesound Node II - Copland CSA 100 - Audioplan Kontrast 3
Kitchen: WiiM Pro - Wadia 151 - B&W 685s2
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Re: May: R. Strauss - Don Quixote
Regrettably and unexpectedly I spent last night in hospital. I hope to be able to get the thread moving along again at the weekend, but for now I need a bit of rest...
Apologies
Apologies