MUSIC WEEK FEBRUARY 18, 1978

mUSKURffl

surveying the complete clossicQl music market

EDITED Verdi-set offer by Decca's Godunov, NICHOLAS WEBBER to concert-goers Tannhauser tapes DECCA IS to issue two large-scale VPO/Karajan team; and what it IN A RARE collaboraiion between own warrant for exile. The opera sets on cassette during March, calls "our general superiority over the English National Opera at the extravagance of 15th-ceniury Venice each retailing at £17. Of prime EMI for cassette transfers". Coliseum, London, and Phonogram inspired Verdi to compose what importance is Wagner's Tannhauser Another March Cassette release International, opera-goers will be ENO describes as "a rich and with the Vienna Philharmonic from Decca likely to stimulate offered a two-record set of a Verdi passionate score". Orchestra conducted by Solti (K80K interest in the medium is of Verdi's opera free if they order four tickets To qualify for the Coliseum's 43) and soloists including Dernesch, Requiem Mass, again with the for the production. special offer the public is being Ludwig and Kollo. Only Wagner's Vienna Philharmonic under Solti. The last new production of ENO's asked to book a minimum of four Parsifal now awaits cassette release Soloists include Pavarotti, Home season is to be (The tickets at an inclusive price of by Decca in a series of Wagner and Talvela and the set will retail at Two Foscari) which will have six £13.35, with scats allocated in the recorilings, and the company claims £8.50. According to Decca's performances after its first night on stalls or dress circle.. ^Recorded in that its Tannhauser "easily leads the classical division RCA has no plans May 4. Dating from Verdi's early Italian with , Jose field of available versions". to release a cassette version of its period, and based on a play by Carreras, Kate Ricciarelli and others The other principal operatic recent Solti recording — "so that Byron, this grand tragic opera is as soloists, the album is due for release is of Mussorgsky's Boris current interest in his new recording about the two Foscari of the title, general release on April 14 as pan of Godunov conducted by von will help us". Francesco and his son Jacopo. Phonogram's set of seven early Karajan. Decca admits that since the When he is Wrongly accused of Verdi operas conducted by release was planned EMI has made treachery, Jacopo, is hounded by his Lamberto Gardelli. available on cassette its own version enemies to the point where his father The offer of a free copy is to apply utilizing the original orchestration INSIDE • • • is forced to set his hand to his son's only at time of booking. — "and this will inevitably prove More news...... 54 severe competition". But, the Album reviews . .54 company claims, points in favour of Decca are the generally more EMTs classical Bernstein's donation Sir Georg Sold: Tannhauser on tape distinguished cast (which includes coup 54-55 for Decca. Ghiaurov and Talvela); the

to human rights group

anotBisr • 7 ^ Beethoven's fifth!!

| BEETHOVEN :SYMPHONIE N03 LORIN MAAZEL-CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA

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AT THE close of a recent active in recent years in the human performance of Fidelio at Vienna rights movement. He stated: "The State Opera, Leonard Bernstein long struggle for human rights still handed over a cheque for DM continues, and it is more important 187,500 (over £50,000) to Franz than ever that we participate in this Schneider, manager of the Austrian struggle wherever in the world these section of Amnesty International, as rights are being denied. 1 hope that the culmination of Prisoner of this concert will inspire many other Conscience Year. From the similar actions for freedom." organisation's headquarters in Following the performance of London came a personal telegram of Fidelio — which was transmitted by thanks from Amnesty's chairman, tv networks in many countries — Martin Ennals. Bernstein is recording the opera in The sizeable contribution the Vienna Grosser Musikverein- represented the entire proceeds of a ssaalwith Gundul Janowitz in the recording of Beethoven's Third title role, Rene Kollo as "Leonora" Overture, his Fourth Florcstan. Hans Sotin as Pizarro, Piano Concerto and the Fifth Manfred Jungwirlh as Rocco, Lucia Symphony. Besides the conductor Popp as Marcellina, Adolf those involved included the Bavarian Dallapozza as Jauino, and Dietrich |/ ^ Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Fischer-Dieskau as Don Fernando. 1 75-year-old pianist Claudio Arrau The Vienna State Opera Chorus and (whose participation was made the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :e possible through the cooperation of arc also involved, with Glmther Phonogram International). All the Breest and Michael Horwath as artists gave their services without producers of the DG recording. No,far from if-we believe this interpretation comes charge. During the past week the VSO has very close to Beethoven's Beethoven's fifth This Beethoven double album been appearing in Bernstein's (Deutsche Grammophon 2721 153), performances of Fidelio at La Scala, Lorin Maazel conducts the Cleveland Orchestra in which was a live take of an Amnesty Milan, as part of the bicentenary the first release of his new Beethoven cycle for CBS. International gala concert given in celebrations there. Bernstein has during 1976, sold also been recording, with the VPO, MASTERWORKS 76672 VU 40-76672 ^ particularly well in last Beethoven's entire symphonic cycle. year; around half the proceeds came A Beethoven programme at La Scala from sales there. last week will also be seen on tv. The oneyou must have! %,Ji With his fellow-artists Leonard Bernstein's visit to Britain begins Bernstein has been particularly todav with a Festival Hall concert. PAGE 53