Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie, Rosenkavalier Suite

1	Eine Alpensinfonie (An Al
2	Eine Alpensinfonie (An Al
3	Eine Alpensinfonie (An Al
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18	Der Rosenkavalier, suite
19	Der Rosenkavalier, suite
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21	Der Rosenkavalier, suite
22	Der Rosenkavalier, suite
Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie, Rosenkavalier Suite
1.	Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony) for orchestra, Op. 64 (TrV 233) 53:04
	Composed by Richard Strauss
	Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Anton Holzapfel
	Conducted by Christian Thielemann
2.	Der Rosenkavalier, suite from the opera for orchestra, o.Op. 145 (TrV 227d, AV 145) 24:08
	Composed by Richard Strauss
	Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
	Conducted by Christian Thielemann

Barnes & Noble

Christian Thielemann, the dynamic young German conductor, has quickly risen to the top of his profession, having appeared with many of the world's great orchestras. Yet it was not until October 2000 that Thielemann stepped in front of the venerable Vienna Philharmonic. Luckily, Deutsche Grammophon had the good sense to document this important encounter for posterity. The Alpine Symphony, Strauss's opulent musical travelogue, might seem like a strange choice for such an auspicious debut, but Thielemann makes a strong case for the work, giving us a sense of the symphony's architecture without sacrificing any of its orchestral splendor. The result is a coherent narrative rather than a series of lurid picture postcards. The Vienna Philharmonic play brilliantly for Thielemann, adding a craggy weight to their usually plush sound. And, of course, they play the Rosenkavalier Waltzes as if to the manner born. DG's recording is wide-ranging and powerful, although the close-up perspective is occasionally overwhelming. Given the success of this release, we're likely to be hearing a lot more from this partnership. Andrew Farach-Colton

Gramophone

Thielemann's [recording of the Alpine Symphony] is, by a considerable margin, the finest account we have had since Karajan's (and is rather better played): the performer's emotional commitment is stamped on every bar. Having the VPO on top form is a decided advantage: the brass-playing throughout is electrifying, no mean achievement since this disc was recorded live... This is a real performance: no-one holding back, no-one playing safe... Captured in a recording at once lushly upholstered and thrillingly visceral, divided violins and all, this is unquestionably Thielemann's finest release to date. David Gutman