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110321-24 bk TristanUS 20/07/2004 11:47am Page 12 Mark Obert-Thorn Mark Obert-Thorn is one of the world’s most respected transfer artist/engineers. He has worked for a number of ADD specialist labels, including Pearl, Biddulph, Romophone and Music & Arts. Three of his transfers have been Great Opera Recordings nominated for Gramophone Awards. A pianist by training, his passions are music, history and working on projects. 8.110321-24 He has found a way to combine all three in the transfer of historical recordings. Obert-Thorn describes himself as a ‘moderate interventionist’ rather than a ‘purist’ or ‘re-processor,’ unlike those who apply significant additions and make major changes to the acoustical qualities of old recordings. His Richard philosophy is that a good transfer should not call attention to itself, but rather allow the performances to be heard 4 CDs with the greatest clarity. WAGNER There is no over-reverberant ‘cathedral sound’ in an Obert-Thorn restoration, nor is there the tinny bass and piercing mid-range of many ‘authorised’ commercial issues. He works with the cleanest available 78s, and Tristan und Isolde consistently achieves better results than restoration engineers working with the metal parts from the archives of the modern corporate owners of the original recordings. His transfers preserve the original tone of the old recordings, Flagstad • Suthaus • Thebom • Fischer-Dieskau maximising the details in critical upper mid-range and lower frequencies to achieve a musical integrity that is absent from many other commercially released restorations. Philharmonia Orchestra • Wilhelm Furtwängler Recorded in 1952 The Naxos historical label aims to make available the greatest recordings in the history of recorded music, in the best and truest sound that contemporary technology can provide. To achieve this aim, Naxos has engaged a number of respected restorers who have the dedication, skill and experience to produce restorations that have set new standards in the field of historical recordings. 8.110321-24 12 110321-24 bk TristanUS 20/07/2004 11:47am Page 2 CD 3 CD 4 1 Emotions intensify, Brangäne is again heard briefly, 1 Tristan praises Kurwenal’s loyalty and thinks he sees as the duet continues, rising unrestrainedly towards an Isolde’s ship approaching, but the shepherd’s sad air is Great Opera Recordings ecstatic climax, as they glory in the night. 2 A horrified heard again. 2 There is no ship to be seen. Tristan scream is heard from the maid as the King, Kurwenal, recalls its theme from his sorrowful childhood when he Richard Melot and their friends rush in to surprise the lovers. 3 was orphaned, and in his wild confusion he begins to The King questions Tristan, reproaching him for this blame himself for the fateful love potion that is causing WAGNER betrayal of trust. 4 Tristan replies obliquely that he no such misery. 3 He faints and Kurwenal finds that his (1813-1883) longer feels himself to be a creature of this world and master is still breathing. 4 Weaving in and out of invites Isolde to join him in the sunless land of his birth. consciousness, Tristan again supposes he can see the She agrees, Tristan kisses her, but Melot, incensed by ship approaching and at last a lively tune is heard from Tristan und Isolde the frustration of his own love for her, attacks Tristan the shepherd. Kurwenal watches as, in the distance, who falls wounded into the arms of Kurwenal. Isolde steps ashore and he hastens to meet her. 5 In Tristan . Ludwig Suthaus (tenor) agitated anticipation of her arrival at the castle, Tristan Isolde . Kirsten Flagstad (soprano) Act III rips the bandages from his wound and struggles to greet Brangäne . Blanche Thebom (mezzo-soprano) Tristan’s castle at Kareol in Brittany. her as she hurries to him. With her name on his lips, he dies in her arms. 6 Unable, to revive him, Isolde falls Kurwenal . Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) 5 An elegiac prelude introduces the act, and a view of insensible to the ground. 7 The shepherd tells King Marke . Josef Greindl (bass) Tristan who is lying unconscious under a lime tree in Kurwenal that he can see a second ship approaching and A Sailor / A Shepherd . Rudolf Schock (tenor) the courtyard of his castle, tended by Kurwenal. A the helmsman confirms that King Marke and others are Melot . Edgar Evans (tenor) shepherd is heard playing a sad tune on his pipe. 6 He aboard. Brangäne arrives and when Melot appears Helmsman . Rhoderick Davies (baritone) soon appears, asking Kurwenal about Tristan; he is Kurwenal kills him. He also attacks the King’s retainers abruptly told to return to his watch and, should he see but, sustaining a fatal wound, dies beside his master, Isolde’s ship approaching the coastline, to play instead a Tristan. The King grieves over the deaths; he has Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden cheerful melody. No vessel is yet in sight, so the sad travelled to Kareol in order to surrender Isolde (whom Chorus Master: Douglas Robinson tune continues. Soon Tristan wakes and asks Kurwenal he also believes to be dead) to Tristan, but now they lie where he is 7 and how he came there. On being told lifeless at his feet. As Isolde wakes, Brangäne tells her Philharmonia Orchestra that Isolde has been summoned to join him, he that she has revealed the truth about the love potion to Wilhelm Furtwängler deliriously imagines that she is nearby. the King, who forgives his intended bride. 8 It is to no avail and in her mystical farewell, Isolde, disregarding all else, wishes only to join Tristan in death. Her hope is Recorded 10th-21st and 23rd June, 1952 in Kingsway Hall, London fulfilled as she sinks slowly on to her lover’s body. First issued as HMV ALP 1030 through 1035 Keith Anderson 8.110321-24 2 11 8.110321-24 110321-24 bk TristanUS 20/07/2004 11:47am Page 10 Synopsis CD 2 CD 1 67:00 CD 2 68:03 CD 1 1 Refusing his offer of a sword with which to kill him, 1 Prelude 11:00 Act One Isolde calls Brangäne whom she has instructed to Orchestra Act I prepare a draught of poison; as Tristan drinks, Isolde Scene 5 (continued) At sea, on the deck of Tristan’s ship. snatches the cup from him and empties it herself. 2 Act One 1 War Morold dir so wert 11:30 Unknown to either of them, Brangäne has prepared a (Tristan, Isolde, Sailors) 1 An extended prelude introduces a number of love potion instead of a poison: before long it takes Scene 1 significant motifs which will be heard again during the potent effect and Tristan and Isolde declare their 2 Westwärts schweift der Blick 6:27 2 Tristan! … Isolde! 6:59 drama. 2 Isolde is on board Tristan’s ship travelling passionate love while Brangäne watches, appalled at the (A young sailor, Isolde, Brangäne) (Isolde, Tristan, Men’s Voices, Brangäne, from Ireland to Cornwall, where she is to marry King result of her deceit. Kurwenal’s return brings them both Kurwenal, Sailors) Marke, Tristan’s uncle. A sailor sings a plaintive song suddenly back to reality and as they begin to understand Scene 2 about a forsaken lover. Hearing this, Isolde bursts into a what the potion has done, the crowd acclaims King 3 Frisch weht der Wind 10:04 Act Two rebellious tirade against the weakness of her own people Marke and his domain of Cornwall. (A young sailor, Isolde, Brangäne, Kurwenal, who have been overcome by their enemies. Tristan’s Tristan, Sailors) 3 Prelude 2:35 companion Kurwenal is seen standing at the stern of the Act II (Orchestra) ship. 3 After the sailor’s song has been heard again, A summer night in King Marke’s castle in Cornwall. Scene 3 Brangäne calls for Tristan to attend her mistress, which 4 Weh, ach wehe! Dies zu dulden! 2:02 Scene 1 he declines to do. A second request is also rejected, this 3 After a short prelude King Marke’s garden is (Brangäne, Isolde) 4 Hörst du sie noch? 12:37 time by Kurwenal who scornfully relates how Tristan revealed. The King, himself has just left on a hunting (Isolde, Brangäne) murdered Morold, the man to whom Isolde was expedition and the horns are heard in the distance. 4 5 Wie lachend sie mir Lieder singen 7:13 previously betrothed. 4 Isolde is incensed by Isolde listens to the sounds of the night, oblivious to (Isolde, Brangäne) Scene 2 Kurwenal’s response. 5 She tells Brangäne how she Brangäne’s concern that the hunt is still within hearing; 5 Isolde! Geliebte! … Tristan! Geliebter! 10:15 recognised Tristan when he came to her in disguise and the maid warns her mistress that she should beware of 6 Da Friede, Sühn’ und Freundschaft 12:28 (Tristan, Isolde) sought help after the murder. She wanted to kill him Melot, a treacherous friend of Tristan, who has (Brangäne, Isolde, Sailors) then, but, restrained by his mysterious gaze, finally organized the King’s night-time expedition as a ploy to 6 Getäuscht von ihm, der dich getäuscht 9:26 spared his life. 6 Now she wishes she had been more catch the lovers unawares. Isolde dismisses Brangäne’s Scene 4 (Isolde, Tristan) courageous, curses him and determines to avenge warning and orders her to extinguish the lighted torch, 7 Auf! Auf! Ihr Frauen! 8:16 Morold’s death with poison. 7 As the ship reaches which will be the signal for Tristan to join her in the (Kurwenal, Isolde, Brangäne) 7 O sink hernieder, Nacht der Liebe 5:51 land, Kurwenal urges the women to prepare themselves.