Re: Bad Orchestra in Böhm's 1966 Tristan

[EMAIL PROTECTED] (Canyon Rick) wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...
> > > 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 all-star concept proly is no longer valid.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

Whatever the problems it may have, this Bohm performance was the first
Tristan I heard and my 4th Wagner opera, about a year and a half ago.
For three solid weeks I was not a separate person but a mere appendage
of this opera. I went through my daily life nearly on automatic pilot,
my being really in another world, every waking moment absorbed in
living this music or marveling that anyone could write such music. I
have never before or after had such an overwhelming artistic
experience. Whether it would be the same with another peformance or
conductor I don't know, but I am grateful for this one.