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CD Review
Wolfgang Mozart
Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K. 384
- Rolf Tasna
- Teresa Stich Randall
- Ernst Haefliger
- Rosl Schwaiger
- Herbert Handt
- Gottlob Frick
Coro e Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano della RAI/Peter Maag
Arts Archives 43085-2 111m ADD mono Rec. 1958
This classic revival of Peter Maag's Seraglio is definitely most welcome to the catalogue and continues to add luster to the legend of Mozart by this great conductor. Maag had an uncanny way of plumbing to the depths of the Mozartian soul with the least of effort and we have already observed this at close quarters in his equally priceless recordings of "Figaro", "Idomeneo" and "Cosi" also available on Arts Archives.
Although in mono, the sound is more than tolerable and the delineation between singers and orchestra is well nigh perfectly balanced throughout. Maag sets judicious tempi for the Overture which leads us quite effortlessly into the singspiel where we have Tasna, Stich-Randall and Haefliger on top form with all the other singers providing some excellent backing. The audience is quiet too for an Italian one and the music can be heard in all its full glory especially the duet scenes which have some lovely singing by the soloists.
One has to say that the mono recording cannot make this recording as a first choice but it is certainly an essential supplement for Mozart lovers alongside such luminaries as Bohm and Davis. The libretto is regrettably only in German but notes and synopsis are provided in English. Another great tribute to Peter Maag, the Mozartian par excellence.
Copyright © 2009, Gerald Fenech
