| No. |
Contents |
|
Time |
| 1 |
GLINKA: RUSSLAN and LUDMILLA - OVERTURE |
 |
5:03 |
| 2 |
MUSSORSKY: KHOVANSHCHINA - PRELUDE |
| 5:06 |
| 3 |
MUSSORSKY: NIGHT ON THE BARE MOUNTAIN |
| 11:11 |
| 4 |
OVERTURE |
| 10:52 |
| 5 |
POLOVTSIAN DANCES |
| 14:10 |
Sir Georg Solti*: The Last superconductor**
I have always appreciated Sir Georg Solti’s conducting, and have had the fortune of attending several of his concerts.
I remember clearly when I first heard him conducting Wagner’s Parsifal at Covent Garden Royal Opera House many, many years ago. At that time, I was a student and could only afford to purchase a standing stall on the 5th floor--for one Pound Sterling. With the other young concert goers, I stood through the entire two-hour concert, looking down at the stage and watching Sir Georg conducting. Ironically, from that location I could see more clearly the details of his conducting; I was amazed by his perfect timing and orchestration skills. I enjoyed the concert immensely.
Some years later, I was again in the audience when the Maestro’s Chicago Symphony Orchestra was visiting Hong Kong.
In the early 90’s, I always made a point of attending concerts conducted by Sir Georg whenever I was exhibiting at the Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago. The Chicago Symphony Hall boasted clean, transparent sound, with terrific low frequency response. Listening to Solti in that Hall was a real treat. I still keep the tickets and brochures in the showcase of my music room.
Needless to say, I have quite a good collection of his Decca recordings. I love his Mahler symphonies, and I think his Beethoven editions are great--not to mention his complete Wagner Epic Cycle. I must admit, however, that I have only listened to part of the “Ring.” I have promised myself that I shall audition the whole volume once I retire!
The liner notes of the original album upon which this special edition is based were written when Solti was still alive, and are printed here intact. Hence, some of the facts are outdated. Reference should be made to his biography in the ensuing pages.
Let us listen to these selections with respect, as a tribute to a great conductor of our era.
Winston Ma
Spring, 2009
* According to the BBC Pronouncing Dictionary of British Names, the name
Georg Solti is pronounced in English as George Shollti, the Sholl- part rhyming
with the word doll.
** “Sir Georg Solti dies in his sleep, Friday, Sept. 5, 1997. He is one of the 20th
Century’s superconductors, along with Herbert von Karajan and Leonard
Bernstein. …..” Ronald Blum, Associated Press Writer, New York Times,
9/8/1997. |
