一听音乐网

This is an unusual recording, featuring some of Strauss's less well-known work. The most successful work on the CD is the youthful "Aus Italien" and, perhaps because of this, the interpretation is at its best in this work. The other works- the second waltz-sequence from "Der Rosenkavalier", and the symphonic fragment from "Die Liebe der Danae", are also commendably performed, if a little placidly. The recording contains much that is to be commended. There is a sombre, mysterious rendering of the opening to Aus Italien and a worthy attempt at sustaining the momentum in this slightly rambling movement. The third movement, too, is well performed, with an impressionistic sparkle, especially in the opening bars. There is a suitably nostalgic air to the waltz sequence and a very stormy beginning to the fragment from "Die Liebe der Danae". Having said that, Kosler has a tendency to err on the slow side when choosing his tempi. The waltz sequence suffers least in this respect, and Aus Italien is quite good (generally),apart from in the last movement, where the tempo and the interest lag a little. The Symphonic fragment quickly becomes mired in this sluggish tendency after its promising beginning, although some of the blame must surely be laid at the feet of Klemens Kraus for his slightly dull arrangement. In conclusion, the performance is fairly good, especially at this price, and the recorded sound is adequate. There are numerous livelier versions of the Waltz sequence, and Norman del Mar's recording of Aus Italien is also worth a look; for those who are so inclined, Klemens Krauss's version of the compelte "Die Liebe der Danae" is glorious, and a much more rewarding work than the fragment.