Re: Bad Orchestra in Böhm's 1966 Tristan

> > A couple of months ago, I bought Karl Böhm's oft-recommended 1966
> > recording of Tristan and Isolde. However, I couldn't help but notice
> > that the orchestra screws up badly during the prelude. For example,
> > the violins are too loud, and there is way too much vibrato. I haven't
> > read anything about this, but the Penguin Guide hinted at it by saying
> > that the orchestra "isn't always immaculate."

I've heard that the prelude was not actually recorded during the
performance, but rather at a different time with no audience present,
which would a different acoustic sound.  Balancing for one ambiance
would not necessarily be correct for another.  The final exclamation
point/chord to end the second act has also always seemed a bit
detached from the remainder of the performance also.

What I understand about the orchestra too is that for the bulk of the
20th, the Bayreuth Festival orchestra was a sort of all-star orchestra
made up of the best players from Germany and Austria.  With year-round
orchestral seasons among the major orchestras these days, this
all-star concept proly is no longer valid.  However, regardless of the
quality of the orchestral talent in the band, an orchestra that played
together only a couple of months a year with undoubtedly some turnover
each year would proly take a while to achieve good ensemble playing.

You might look at the conductor also.  I'm not a fan of Bohm to begin
with, but in fairness, the Bayreuth acoustics are very difficult for
conductors.  Apparently, Solti was completely befuddled.  I've read
that depending upon where the singer is on the stage, he or she must
sing up to a half a beat ahead of the conductor in order to get the
proper blend of voice and instruments in the hall itself.

And then there's the Bayreuth "Bark" which I've never quite figured
out.

RICK