Westminster lives on

BEETHOVEN: "Fidelio." Sena Jurinac, Leonore; Jan Peerce, Florestan; Maria Stader, Marzelline; Gustav Neidlinger; Don Pizarro. Chorus of the Bavarian State Opera; Bavarian State Orchestra. Hans Knappertsbusch, conductor. Westminster 471 204; libretto; 2 CDs.

This brilliant recording of Beethoven`s only opera was made in Munich in December 1961. It was recorded in stereo and issued by Westminster as an LP. Westminster called itself a "major minor" recording house, and so it was. It was established in 1949, and between then and the time it ceased regular operation in 1965, it created a distinguished discography as it followed its plan of exploring "new and exciting corners of the repertoire."

To name just a few of the artists and orchestras who recorded for the label: conductors Rodzinski, Scherchen, Leinsdorf, Abravanel, Monteux, Knappertsbusch; singers Jan Peerce, Teresa Stich-Randall, Maureen Forrester, Beverly Sills; instrumental soloists Daniel Barenboim, Jorg Demus, Paul Budu-Skoda; Vienna Konzerthaus Quartet, Amadeus Quartet, London Baroque Ensemble, London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (the name on the recording appeared as the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of London).

Westminster used a highly successful single-microphone recording technique. It gave recordings a natural, concert-hall presence. This recording of "Fidelio" was digitally remastered and re-released on MCA Classics in 1988. This edition was again digitally remastered and released this year.

This edition is, as we probably should expect it to be, the finest of all. A lot of additional know-how was gained in the art of recording, and especially in re-recording, over the years between 1888 and 2001. Even so, this new issue of "Fidelio" is so good it surprises me. I have a hard time believing I`m listening to a recording that was made in 1965 - 36 years ago! The voices of the principals are clear and strong and beautiful.

The solo voices are brilliant. Sena Jurinac and Jan Peerce make a terrific team as the lovers Leonore and Florestan. And indeed, all the soloists are first rate. I`d love to comment in detail on the high quality of their artistry, but I must content myself with singling out the work of the great American tenor Jan Peerce - so beloved in this country and abroad - and speak of his singing of the aria "Gott! Welch Dunkel hier!" ("God! How dark it is!") that opens Act II. This is perfection! You will never, ever hear it sung better.

The eminent German Conductor Hans Knappertsbusch and the Bavarian State Orchestra and Chorus match the work of the soloists step for step. Knappertsbusch reads a most dramatic and touching "Fidelio."

I went into detail on the old Westminster label because Universal Classics Group (Deutsche Grammophon, Philips, Decca) has gained the rights to re-release their recordings, and we may expect many fine things on the Westminster label in the time ahead. And that time cannot come too soon.

SCHNITTKE, Alfred: Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano; Sonata No. 2 (Quasi una Sonata) for Violin and Piano; A Paganini, Violin solo; Prelude in Memoriam, Dmitri Shostakovitch, Violin and Tape. Joanna Kurkowicz, violin; Sergey Schepkin, piano. Bridge Records 9104.

The catalog is loaded with recordings of the works of Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998), a Russian - nee Soviet - composer whose works, even for those who consider themselves advocates of "modern" music (in this case, read "modern" to mean the dodecaphony of the 12-tone system) are tough nuts to crack. But although the composer`s works enjoy many recordings - he wrote symphonies, operas, concertos, chamber works - they are issued by minor recording houses whose products are not readily available at most outlets in this country.

Whenever anybody tells me he has difficulty with Schoenberg, Berg and Webern, I give him Schnittke to listen to. It`s interesting to see how clear the music of the great triumvirate of the Second Viennese School suddenly becomes after listening to Schnittke. As I said, Schnittke is a tough nut to crack. Even so, he is a worthwhile nut and his music should be heard.

As for the works before us, parts of some of them constitute the most accessible music written by the composer I have ever heard. I actually hear snatches here and there of discernible melody. Not that such music needs what most listeners would call melody. By themselves, on their own terms, these works are a most interesting exploration into a musical experience not bound by traditional melody and traditional harmonic patterns.

One word of advice: If you`re going to listen to them, listen to them repeatedly. Don`t throw up your hands in bewilderment at a first hearing of the complexities in these works.

Both artists are to be commended for their playing on this disc. If this music can be called difficult to hear, it`s even more difficult to play. Kurkowicz was born in Poland, Schepkin in Russia.

Both have won high awards in numerous contests, played in music festivals and appeared as solo performers and as members of chamber groups.

AT THE MOVIES

JURASSIC PARK III: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Original themes by John Williams; new music composed and conducted by Don Davis. Decca 014 325.

I`ve got this idea: When record companies send reviewers copies of the soundtrack of a movie, they should get the movie people to send a video of the movie itself. That way the reviewer can see how well the music fits the film. Otherwise, if the reviewer hasn`t seen the film in a theater - and I hadn`t seen this one - he must do an awful lot of guessing of how well what fits where.

So I had this thing on, and I was struggling with it. What`s happening here? Is the dinosaur eating somebody? Is somebody eating the dinosaur? Frankly, I was getting no place.

Just then my wife came home from work. As she walked through the front door she asked, "Movie music?"

"Yeah."

"I like it."

There you go, people, you`ve got yourself a favorable review from my wife. (And, I might add, that I`m very careful about disagreeing with my wife.)

(c) Copley News Service

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: King Durkee