In Mark Obert-Thorn’s new remasterings for this Eloquence box set, we can appreciate anew the genius for colour, pacing and timing which made Clemens Krauss the unrivalled conductor of his day in the music of Johann and Richard Strauss. He began recording for Decca in 1947 – three sessions of Brahms in London including a famous account of the Alto Rhapsody which found Kathleen Ferrier in glorious voice – allowing for less than eight years of activity in the studio before the conductor’s untimely death from a heart attack in May 1954, hours after conducting a concert in Mexico City.
In that time, however, Decca secured Krauss in much of the repertoire for which he was renowned as a peerless interpreter. A Richard Strauss series captured all the major symphonic poems except the Alpine Symphony, plus a complete Salome with Christel Goltz, and, for Polydor (Deutsche Grammophon) the rapturous final Trio from Der Rosenkavalier recorded in pre-war Berlin with his wife, the soprano Viorica Ursuleac, as the Marschallin. Unlike many later recordings, these are not performances which pull out the modernist strands in Strauss’s form and harmony. Rather they place the composer in a lineage of lyricists and musical dramatists stretching back to Mozart. Strauss himself apparently regarded Krauss as the supreme conductor of his generation, supporting the younger man’s rise to a succession of top jobs of 1930s and 40s Austria and Germany.
During the war, Krauss founded the tradition of New Year’s Day concerts in Vienna, and Decca capitalised on their popularity with three albums which have become touchstones of interpretation in the music of the Strauss family – ‘by turns committed and distanced, never pasteurized or bent on proving anything’, as Carlos Kleiber remarked of the Decca recording of Die Fledermaus, which became a library choice for the work as soon as it was released in January 1951.
The trio of Beethoven concertos with Backhaus has also been a perennial favourite among collectors; much less familiar is the album of Leonore/Fidelio overtures which marked the premature end to Krauss’s Decca career, charged with visceral intensity and elevated by needle-point rhythmic detail. Sleeves feature the original Decca covers and the booklet includes a survey of Krauss’s remarkable life and times by Peter Quantrill.
CD 1
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770–1827)
Overture – Leonore No. 1, Op. 138*
Overture – Leonore No. 2, Op. 72a
Overture – Leonore No. 3, Op. 72b
Overture – Fidelio, Op. 72
Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19
Wilhelm Backhaus, piano; Wiener Philharmoniker
*FIRST CD RELEASE ON DECCA
CD 2
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770–1827)
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58
Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 ‘Emperor’
Wilhelm Backhaus, piano; Wiener Philharmoniker
CD 3
JOHANNES BRAHMS (1883–1897)
Alto Rhapsody, Op. 53
Kathleen Ferrier, contralto;
London Philharmonic Choir (Frederic Jackson, chorus master);
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80*
Variations on a theme by Haydn, Op. 56a*
Hungarian Dances Nos. 1 & 3 (orch. Brahms)*
ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK (1841–1904)
Slavonic Dances, Op. 46 (B.83) Nos. 3, 5 & 8*
London Symphony Orchestra
*FIRST CD RELEASE ON DECCA
CD 4
RICHARD STRAUSS (1864–1949)
Don Juan, Op. 20
Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28
Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40
Wiener Philharmoniker
CD 5
RICHARD STRAUSS (1864–1949)
Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30
Don Quixote, Op. 35
Wiener Philharmoniker; Pierre Fournier, cello; Ernst Moraweg, viola
CD 6
RICHARD STRAUSS (1864–1949)
Symphonia domestica, Op. 53
Le Bourgeois gentilhomme – Suite, Op. 60
Wiener Philharmoniker
CD 7
RICHARD STRAUSS (1864–1949)
Aus Italien, Op. 16
Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28*
Tod und Verklärung, Op. 24*
Wiener Philharmoniker (Aus Italien)
Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala (Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche)
London Philharmonic Orchestra (Tod und Verklärung)
*FIRST CD RELEASE ON DECCA
CDs 8–9
RICHARD STRAUSS (1864–1949)
Salome, Op. 54
Herod: Julius Patzak
Herodias: Margareta Kenney
Salome: Christel Goltz
Jochanaan: Hans Braun
Narraboth: Anton Dermota
Wiener Philharmoniker
CD 10
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770–1827)
Overture – Fidelio, Op. 72*
London Philharmonic Orchestra
RICHARD WAGNER (1813–1883)
Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod (concert version)
Parsifal: Karfreitagszauber (concert version)
London Philharmonic Orchestra
RICHARD STRAUSS (1864–1949)
Der Rosenkavalier: Hab mir’s gelobt
Tiana Lemnitz, soprano
Erna Berger, soprano
Viorica Ursuleac, soprano
Orchester der Staatsoper Berlin
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756–1791)
Don Giovanni: Deh vieni*
Le nozze di Figaro: Se vuol ballare*
Paul Schöffler, bass-baritone
National Symphony Orchestra
Le nozze di Figaro: Voi che sapete; Giunse alfin il momento … Deh vieni
Idomeneo: Se il padre; Non più, tutto ascoltai … Non temer, amato bene, KV 490
GIUSEPPE VERDI (1813–1901)
Rigoletto: Caro nome; Tutte le feste … Ah, solo per me
Hilde Gueden, soprano
Wiener Philharmoniker
*FIRST CD RELEASE ON DECCA
CDs 11–12
JOHANN STRAUSS II (1825–1899)
Die Fledermaus
Gabriel von Eisenstein: Julius Patzak
Rosalinde: Hilde Gueden
Dr. Falke: Alfred Poell
Adele: Wilma Lipp
Prinz Orlofsky: Sieglinde Wagner
Frank: Kurt Preger
Alfred: Anton Dermota
Dr. Blind: August Jaresch
Wiener Staatsopernchor
Wiener Philharmoniker
CDs 13–14
JOHANN STRAUSS II (1825–1899)
Der Zigeunerbaron
Graf Peter Homonay: Alfred Poell
Conte Carnero: Karl Dönch
Sándor Barinkay: Julius Patzak
Kálman Zsupán: Kurt Preger
Arsena: Emmy Loose
Mirabella: Steffi Leverenz
Ottokar: August Jaresch
Czipra: Rosette Anday
Saffi: Hilde Zadek
Pali: Franz Bierback
Wiener Staatsopernchor
Wiener Philharmoniker
NEW YEAR CONCERTS
CD 15
JOHANN STRAUSS II (1825–1899)
1 G’schichten aus dem Wienerwald – Walzer, Op. 325
JOSEF STRAUSS (1827–1870)
2 Die Libelle – Polka mazurka, Op. 204
3 Mein Lebenslauf ist Lieb und Lust! – Walzer, Op. 263
4 Jokey – Polka schnell, Op. 278
JOHANN STRAUSS II (1825–1899)
5 Éljen a Magyar! – Polka, Op. 332
6 Ägyptischer Marsch, Op. 335
7 Im Krapfenwald’l – Polka, Op. 336
8 Vergnügungszug – Polka, Op. 281
JOHANN STRAUSS II (1825–1899) & JOSEF STRAUSS (1827–1870)
9 Pizzicato Polka
JOHANN STRAUSS II (1825–1899)
10 Künstlerleben – Walzer, Op. 316
11 Frühlingsstimmen – Walzer, Op. 410
CD 16
JOSEF STRAUSS (1827–1870)
1 Dorfschwalben aus Österreich – Walzer, Op. 164
2 Moulinet – Polka française, Op. 57
JOHANN STRAUSS II (1825–1899)
3 Morgenblätter – Walzer, Op. 279
4 Ritter Pásmán – Csárdás, Op. 441
5 Auf der Jagd – Polka schnell, Op. 373
JOSEF STRAUSS (1827–1870)
6 Ohne Sorgen! – Polka schnell, Op. 271
7 Feuerfest! – Polka française, Op. 269
JOHANN STRAUSS II (1825–1899)
8 Stadt und Land – Polka, Op. 322
9 Perpetuum Mobile – Musikalischer scherz, Op. 257
JOHANN STRAUSS II (1825–1899)
10 Bei uns z’ Haus – Walzer, Op. 361
JOSEF STRAUSS (1827–1870)
11 Sphärenklänge – Walzer, Op. 235
JOHANN STRAUSS II (1825–1899)
12 An der schönen blauen Donau – Walzer, Op. 314
JOSEF STRAUSS (1827–1870)
13 Plappermäulchen – Polka schnell, Op. 245
14 Auf Ferienreisen! – Polka schnell, Op. 133
JOHANN STRAUSS II (1825–1899)
15 Annen-Polka, Op. 117
JOHANN STRAUSS I (1804–1849)
16 Radetzky-Marsch, Op. 228
Wiener Philharmoniker
CLEMENS KRAUSS
MONO RECORDINGS
CD 1
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Cyril Windebank
Recording Location: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria, 22–23 March 1954 (Overtures); 25–26 May 1952 (Piano Concerto No. 2)
Original Decca Releases: LW 5164 (Leonore Nos. 1 & 2): February 1955; LW 5165 (Leonore No. 3, Fidelio): February 1955; LX 3083 (Piano Concerto No. 2): September 1952
MONO RECORDINGS
CD 2
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Cyril Windebank
Recording Location: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria, May 1951 (Piano Concerto No. 4); May 1953 (Piano Concerto No. 5)
Original Decca Releases: LXT 2629 (Piano Concerto No. 4): November 1951; LXT 2839 (Piano Concerto No. 5): October 1953
MONO RECORDINGS
CD 3
1-12
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Kenneth Wilkinson
Transfers and Audio Restoration: Mark Obert-Thorn
Recording Location: Kingsway Hall, London, UK, 9 October 1947 (Academic Festival Overture), 7 October 1947 (Variations on a Theme by Haydn), 18–20 December 1947 (Alto Rhapsody)
Matrix Nos: AR 11633–34 (Academic Festival Overture); AR 11621–24 (Variations on a Theme by Haydn); AR 11901–4 (Alto Rhapsody)
Original Decca Releases: K 1726 (Academic Festival Overture): March 1948; K 2107–08 (Variations on a Theme by Haydn): February 1950; K 1847–48 (Alto Rhapsody): June 1948 / LXT 2850: November 1953
MONO RECORDINGS
13-17
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Kenneth Wilkinson
Recording Location: Kingsway Hall, London, UK, 12 January 1949
Original Decca Releases: LK 4007: June 1950
MONO RECORDINGS
CD 4
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Cyril Windebank
Recording Locations: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria, 16 June 1950 (Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegel), September 1952 (Ein Heldenleben)
Original Decca Releases: LXT 2549 (Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegel): January 1951 (Till Eulenspiegel also released in 1950/51 on four 78rpm sides: KX28364-67); LXT 2729 (Ein Heldenleben): November 1952
MONO RECORDINGS
CD 5
Recording Producers: Victor Olof
Balance Engineers: Cyril Windebank
Recording Locations: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria, 12–13 June 1950 (Also sprach Zarathustra), June 1953 (Don Quixote)
Original Decca Releases: LXT 2548 (Also sprach Zarathustra): January 1951; LXT 2842 (Don Quixote): November 1953
MONO RECORDINGS
CD 6
Recording Producers: Victor Olof
Balance Engineers: Cyril Windebank
Recording Locations: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria, September 1951 (Sinfonia domestica), September 1952 (Le Bourgeois gentilhomme)
Original Decca Releases: KX 28576–80: 1952 / LXT 2643: January 1952 (Sinfonia domestica); LXT 2756: January 1953 (Le Bourgeois gentilhomme)
MONO RECORDINGS
CD 7
1-4
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Cyril Windebank
Recording Location: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria, December 1953
Original Decca Release: LXT 2917: April 1954
MONO RECORDINGS
5
Recording Producers: Victor Olof, Terence Gibbs
Balance Engineer: unknown
Transfer and Audio Restoration: Mark Obert-Thorn
Recording Location: Teatro alla Scala, Milan, Italy, 23 July 1947
Matrix Nos: IAR 314–17
Original Decca Release: Decca K 1681–82: November 1947
MONO RECORDINGS
6
Recording Producer: Terence Gibbs
Balance Engineers: Kenneth Wilkinson
Transfer and Audio Restoration: Mark Obert-Thorn
Recording Location: Kingsway Hall, London, UK, December 1947
Matrix Nos: AR 11905–10
Original Decca Release: AK 1892–94: March 1949
MONO RECORDINGS
CD 8-9
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Cyril Windebank
Recording Location: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria, 15–21 March 1954
Original Decca Release: LXT 2863–64: July 1954
MONO RECORDINGS
CD 10
1
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Kenneth Wilkinson
Transfers (Fidelio): Robert Cowlin (British Library)
Recording Location: Kingsway Hall, London, UK, 11 January 1949
Matrix Nos: AR 13140–41
Original Decca Release: K 2241: 1949
MONO RECORDINGS
2-3
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Kenneth Wilkinson
Recording Location: Kingsway Hall, London, UK, 10 January 1949 (Tristan und Isolde), 11 January 1949 (Parsifal)
Original Decca Release: LXT 2527: October 1950
MONO RECORDINGS
4
Recordings: Berlin, Germany, April 1936
Original Polydor Release: 1067075: 1936
MONO RECORDINGS
5-6
Transfer and Audio Restoration: Mark Obert-Thorn
Recordings: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London, UK, 29 September 1947
Matrix Nos: DR 11578 (Don Giovanni); DR 11577 (Le nozze di Figaro)
Original Decca Release: M613: February 1948
MONO RECORDINGS
7-12
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Cyril Windebank
Recording Location: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria, September 1951
Original Decca Release: LX 3067: March 1952
MONO RECORDINGS
CD 11-12
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Cyril Windebank
Recording Location: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria, 16–22 September 1950
Original Decca Release: LXT 2550–51: January 1951 (subsequently issued on 78rpm – AX470-81: June 1951)
MONO RECORDINGS
CD 13-14
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Cyril Windebank
Recording Location: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria, April 1951
Original Decca Release: LXT 2612–13 (K28526–37: 78rpm): September 1951
MONO RECORDINGS
CD 15
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Cyril Windebank
Recording Location: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria, 22 June 1950 (10–11), September 1951 (1–9)
Original Decca Releases: LXT 2645 (New Year Concert): January 1952; LXT 2634: January 1952
MONO RECORDINGS
CD 16
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Cyril Windebank
Recording Location: Grosser Saal, Musikverein, Vienna, Austria, 22 May 1952 (1–3), September 1952 (4–9), 18–19 December 1953 (10–16)
Original Decca Releases: LXT 2755 (Second New Year Concert): January 1953; LXT 2913 (Third New Year Concert): March 1954
MONO RECORDINGS
“[There is] the pleasure of Backhaus’s muscular and tender versatility and the lovely, lingering environment supplied by the conductor’s affectionate understanding.” High Fidelity, April 1952 (Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.4)
“The performance is on a high level. The subtlety and variety of Clemens Krauss’s conducting of waltzes (and of course the rest of the score) is a delight, as is the playing of the orchestra. Patzak gives a performance of wonderful subtlety and charm.” Opera, April 1952 (Strauss: Der Zigeunerbaron)
“The singing is sumptuous and exquisite. Miss Ferrier is at her best in the more serious Alto Rhapsody, where she receives splendid support … A Brahms disc of distinction, and another living memorial to a great lady who left us too soon.” High Fidelity, June 1954
“A remarkably fluent, perceptive and altogether compelling performance … Matching the performance is the truly superb sound Decca has produced, particularly brilliant in the rousing final movement, a riot of orchestral sound.” High Fidelity, August 1954 (R. Strauss: Aus Italien)
“A pleasing piece of romantic music, recommended by a splendid performance and recording.” The Record Guide, 1955 (R. Strauss: Aus Italien)
“Magnificently played and most skilfully recorded. The bass fugue can seldom have sounded so rich and clear” The Record Guide, 1955 (R. Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra)
“Clemens Krauss’s reading is in the best tradition; he achieves nobility in the opening section, compels us to take sides in the battle, and extracts all the sweetness from the emotional passages.” The Record Guide, 1955 (R. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben)
“Many critics have been so bothered by the mundane details of the programme that they have failed to appreciate the beauties, as well as the dazzling cleverness of the score. This is a superb performance and the recording is a triumph for the engineers.” The Record Guide, 1955 (R. Strauss: Symphonia Domestica)
“Forceful, authoritative conducting, two really outstanding tenors for the roles of Herod and Narraboth, and an interesting Salome. Christel Goltz, in fact, must be ranked with Inge Borkh as the most satisfactory singer of the title role since Welitch.” High Fidelity, November 1963 (R. Strauss: Salome)
“It is scarcely possible to imagine a more delightful pair of records … No better conductor could have been found for this delectable score than Clemens Krauss … Apart from its musical and technical excellence, the recording has captured to a remarkable degree the illusion of a stage performance.” The Record Guide, 1955 (Strauss: Die Fledermaus)
“The Johann Strauss interpreter par excellence … Krauss revels in the niceties of tempo variation, in the contrivance of affetuoso phrasing or nuance; rhythm and tempo are the secrets of his magic … pure gold.” The Record Guide, 1955 (New Year’s Day collections)
“[Krauss’s] readings have the structural coherence and tremendous cogency evinced by Kempe, but also the inner energy and wonderful ear for detail that distinguishes Karajan’s readings. Despite being in mono, so much detail can be heard in these quite close-miked, immediate recordings … The performances have so much to commend them as a set that anyone interested in Strauss will want them.” Gramophone, October 2000 (Richard Strauss recordings)