Gundula Janowitz – Beethoven: “Egmont”; Wellington’s Victory; Military Marches (1987/2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Gundula Janowitz – Beethoven: “Egmont”; Wellington’s Victory; Military Marches (1987/2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:11:26 minutes | 1,39 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Deutsche Grammophon (DG)

Beethoven’s Egmont (the complete work, not just the famous overture) and Battle Symphony (aka Wellington’s Victory, aka Battle of Vittoria) are perhaps the best kept secrets in classical music. Egmont, in particular, features some highly original and beautiful music for solo voice (soprano) and orchestra. From the highly charged and Beethovenian-dramatic overture to the individual entr’actes to the two Lieders, the music is enjoyable and awe-inspiring. Karajan, at the height of his career at the time of this recording, brings out every magistical note of the piece.

I really love Wellington’s Victory, even though it’s got a low reputation among purists, perhaps just a tad higher than that enjoyed by Tchaikovasky’s more popular 1812 Overture. But it’s got lots of fun noise, innovative scoring, three popular tunes (including “The Bear Went Over the Mountain,” aka Malbrouk), and is just thoroughly enjoyable as a light piece. Unfortunately, this Karajan recording sounds uninspired and rather boring. Instead, the one made by Marriner and his orchestra featured in Brillian Classics’ Complete Beethoven set is a much better performance.

Tracklist:

1-1. Berliner Philharmoniker – Beethoven: Music to Goethe’s Tragedy “Egmont”, Op. 84 (08:26)
1-2. Gundula Janowitz – 1. Lied: “Die Trommel gerühret” (02:53)
1-3. Berliner Philharmoniker – 2. Zwischenakt: Andante (02:49)
1-4. Berliner Philharmoniker – 3. Zwischenakt: Larghetto (05:14)
1-5. Gundula Janowitz – 4. Lied: “Freudvoll und leidvoll” (01:40)
1-6. Berliner Philharmoniker – 5. Zwischenakt: Allegro – Marcia (03:50)
1-7. Berliner Philharmoniker – 6. Zwischenakt: Poco sostenuto e risoluto (03:21)
1-8. Berliner Philharmoniker – 7. Clärchens Tod (03:12)
1-9. Erich Schellow – 8. Melodram: “Süßer Schlaf” (04:03)
1-10. Berliner Philharmoniker – 9. Siegessymphonie: Allegro con brio (01:26)
1-11. Berliner Philharmoniker – Beethoven: Wellington’s Victory or the Battle Symphony, Op. 91 (14:11)
1-12. Berlin Philharmonic Wind Ensemble – Beethoven: March for Military Music in D Major, WoO 24 (07:26)
1-13. Berlin Philharmonic Wind Ensemble – Beethoven: March for Military Music in D Major, WoO 21 (02:44)
1-14. Berlin Philharmonic Wind Ensemble – Beethoven: March for Military Music in D Major, WoO 22 (01:34)
1-15. Berlin Philharmonic Wind Ensemble – Beethoven: March for Military Music in C Major, WoO 20 (03:55)
1-16. Karl Leister – Beethoven: March in B-Flat Major, WoO 29 (01:19)
1-17. Berlin Philharmonic Wind Ensemble – Beethoven: March for Military Music in F Major, WoO 18 (01:29)
1-18. Berlin Philharmonic Wind Ensemble – Beethoven: March for Military Music in F Major, WoO 19 (01:47)

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