Arts Music continue to thrill all dedicated audiophiles with their splendid series of DVD-Audio discs recorded in state of the art five-channel sound. This jam packed DVD-a of Wagner music may not have Klemperer like granite quality but the interpretations are immensely enjoyable.
A stunning 'Flying Dutchman' heralds the disc and Caetani shows his mettle in an incredibly powerful coda that really bowls one over for sonics! Next are the beautiful Lohengrin Preludes with an expansive and noble First Act and a jolly vivaciousness for the Third Act Prelude.
A real rarity is one of the main selling points on this disc with a World première Recording of 'König Enzio'. This is definitely not a masterpiece but it is highly enjoyable as a souvenir of the early Wagnerian period alongside similarly obscure works as 'Die Feen' or 'Das Liebesvort'.
Cajetani also provides an imposing version of the 'Tannhäuser' Overture that is thrilling in its surround sound whilst the rare Act 3 Prelude from the Dresden version also makes for intriguing listening. Finally there are the famous 'Ride of the Valkyries' and a majestic 'Meistersinger' Overture to conclude this stunning disc in raucous fashion.
You may already have several versions of these timeless bleeding chunks in your collection but this disc is advisable if you really want to turn your room into Bayreuth for an evening!
Copyright © 2004, Gerald Fenech