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Editorial Reviews

Though there are good reasons for hearing other recordings of "Der Rosenkavalier" -- the endlessly attractive 1954 Decca recording with Reining, Jurinac, Gueden, and Weber with Erich Kleiber leading the Vienna Philharmonic or the luminously appealing 1994 DG recording with Lott, von Otter, Bonney, and Moll with Carlos Kleiber, Erich's son, leading the Wiener Philharmoniker -- when you come right down to it, the one "Rosenkavalier" to have is this 1957 EMI recording with Schwarzkopf, Ludwig, Stich-Randall, and Edelmann with Herbert von Karajan leading the Philharmonia Orchestra. Why? Because as Ochs, Edelmann is funny without being a buffoon; as Sophie, Stich-Randall is scrumptious without being silly; as Octavian, Ludwig is impetuous without being ridiculous; and as the Feldmarchallin, Schwarzkopf is simply unmatched for tonal beauty and depth of understanding. Plus, they and the rest of the first-class staff sing not as a individuals in a constellation of stars but together as parts of a single ensemble wholly dedicated to the music and the drama of the work. On top of that, Karajan supports the singers and the drama with consummate style and class without once grandstanding, and the Philharmonia plays like what it was -- the finest classical studio orchestra of all time with a refinement and opulence matched only by the VPO or the BPO at their best. Captured in superlative stereo sound by Walter Legge -- it's the ideal combination of too live for a studio recording and too studio for a live recording sound -- this "Rosenkavalier" should be heard by anyone who loves the work, loves Strauss, loves fin de siècle music, loves life, and loves love. James Leonard, All Music Guide

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