Tír Na HiFi

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.

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....

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.

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.

I wish her well and look forward to your input...

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.

Diapason 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.

Please, let us know how you get on with them

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.

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.

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.

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