Richard Wagner / Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin / Marek Janowski - Lohengrin (2012) [CD-Layer + Hi-Res SACD Rip]

Janowski’s Wagner cycle arrives at Lohengrin and by this point in the series some things can safely be relied on. The first is Janowski’s penchant for fast tempi which, in this context, carries the welcome advantage that each act fits onto one disc. It seldom feels rushed, however. When he broadens out it is for the more famously contemplative moments, such as In fernem Land or Einsam in truben tagen. In fact, the dawn interlude in the third act begins remarkably slowly but gathers pace as it develops, an effect that not everyone will enjoy.

The other normally dependable advantages are slightly less reliable this time around. One is the beauty of the orchestral playing, which is still extraordinary. However, it takes a while for the shimmer effect to set in. The divided strings of the prelude are ever so slightly shaky in the opening bars and I couldn’t really relax into it until the entry of the woodwinds. The scenes surrounding Lohengrin’s entrance in Act 1, however, are wonderful, as is the playing around In fernem Land. The string tone for the opening of Act 2 is wonderfully dark. The other advantage is the quality of the recorded sound. It’s very good, bringing clarity and light to the string and wind sound especially. However, the brass feel slightly recessed this time around: the important trumpet fanfares at the climax of the prelude are difficult to hear, and most of the big climaxes are a little underplayed, including the prelude to Act 3. It’s most damaging in the final bars of the second act where the theme of the forbidden question should thunder out on the brass but here struggles to make itself heard above the general orchestral texture which can come across as slightly thick and muddy. Perhaps I’m only noticing these flaws because these aspects have been so excellent in other instalments of the series, but it’s a pity that the magic is less forthcoming this time around. ― musicweb-international.com

Disc 1 – Act I
01. Vorspiel – Prelude – 08:30
02. Hört, Grafen, Edle, Freie von Brabant – 04:32
03. Dank, König, dir, daß du zu richten kamst! – 06:14
04. Seht hin! Sie naht, die hart Beklagte! – 03:38
05. Einsam in trüben Tagen – 03:54
06. Mich irret nicht ihr träumerischer Mut – 05:11
07. Wer hier im Gotteskampt zu streiten kam – 04:58
08. Nun sei bedankt, mein lieber Schwan! – 03:18
09. Zum Kampf für eine Magd zu stehn – 06:01
10. Nun hört! Euch, Volk und Edlen mach’ ich kund – 02:11
11. Nun höret mich und achtet wohl – 07:05
12. Durch Gottes Sieg ist jetzt dein Leben mein – 03:45

Disc 2 – Act II
01. Einleitung – Introduction – 03:49
02. Erhebe dich, Genossin meiner Schmach! – 07:23
03. Du wilde Seherin – 07:31
04. Euch Lüften, die mein Klagen – 02:42
05. Elsa! – 04:13
06. Entweihte Götter! Helft jetzt meiner Rache! – 03:47
07. Wie kann ich solche Huld dir lohnen – 06:56
08. In Frühn versammelt uns der Ruf – 04:49
09. Des Königs Wort und Will’ tu ich euch kund – 08:15
10. Gesegnet soll sie schreiten – 05:20
11. Zurück, Elsa! Nicht länger will ich dulden – 08:19
12. O König! Trugbetörte Fürsten! Haltet ein! – 05:24
13. Welch ein Geheimnis muß der Held bewarhen? – 04:16
14. Mein Held, entgegne kühn dem Ungetreuen – 06:40

Disc 3 – Act III
01. Vorspiel – Prelude – 03:08
02. Treulich geführt ziehet dahin (Wedding March) – 04:18
03. Das süße Lied verhallt – 01:41
04. Fühl’ ich zu dir so süß mein Herz entbrennen – 05:01
05. Atmest du nich mit mir die süßen Düfte? – 03:56
06. Höchstes Vertraun hast du mir schon zu daniken – 07:52
07. Weh, nun ist all unser Glück dahin! – 04:48
08. Heil König Heinrich! – 06:35
09. Macht Platz dem Helden von Brabant! – 05:37
10. In fernem Land, unnahbar euren Schritten – 10:49
11. Mein lieber Schwan! – 07:43

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