Till Eulenspiegel

Karetnikov’s opera Till Eulenspiegel has been described as “the finest Russian opera since Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth” (Gramophone). The product of almost 20 years’ work, a true fusion of many types of opera, thanks to the buffa elements of Till’s trickster personality, the drama of Klaas’ death, and the opéra engagé nature that introduces the characters of Charles V, Philip II and the Count of Egmont.

Strauss’s ‘Fantastic variations on a theme of knightly character’, as Don Quixote is subtitled, is one of the composer’s most popular tone poems, principally because of the beautifully drawn central characters of the Don (performed by a solo cellist) and Sancho Panza (viola). These roles are luxuriously cast in this new recording, being taken by Hyperion artists Alban Gerhardt and Lawrence Power. The merry tale of Till Eulenspiegel completes this release.

Till Eulenspiegel: Wer reich, hochnäsig oder dumm ist, bekommt es mit dem Narren zu tun. Marktfrau und Professor, Ärzte, Könige… Niemand ist vor Eulenspiegels Späßen sicher. Gleich nach Erscheinen des Volksbuchs von 1510, das sein Leben erzählt, wurde Eulenspiegel in ganz Europa bekannt. Seine Abenteuer werden bis heute sehr gerne gelesen.

Sergiu Celibidache (1912-1996) has been called a "musical giant", a "magician" "a brilliant lion-tamer" and an enfant terrible of classical music. These films from 1965 and 1982 are among the very few visual records we have of the legendary rehearsal work of this highly charismatic Maestro; they provide a unique insight into his Stuttgart years, bringing to light the marvels he achieved with the Radio Orchestra, which he conducted from 1971-1983. Celibidache was a master Straussian and his reading of the symphonic tale Till Eulenspiegel ranks among the best recordings available. His version of Rimsky-Korsakov's Sheherazade is full of sensuality and subtlety. Both documents last almost an hour - they give today's listeners an exclusive opportunity to observe Celibidache in rehearsal and concert, making it a must for lovers of symphonic music.

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and their Chief Conductor Sir Andrew Davis continue their acclaimed survey of the orchestral music of Richard Strauss with two contrasting, characterful and ambitious works.