Strauss: Salome (Great Recordings of the Century)
Herbert von Karajan's  mastery of the opulent idiom ofRichard Straussis everywhere  apparent in this recording ofSalome, made in 1977-78 in conjunction with  the first-ever Salzburg Festival production of the opera, conducted (as well as  directed) by the Salzburg-born maestro. Never has the shimmering, feverish  intensity of Strauss's colorful scoring been more tellingly captured on disc,  although Karajan's fastidious direction and iron grip on the music are only a  part of the reason: a good deal of credit belongs to the Vienna Philharmonic,  which was in top form on this outing. As Salome, German soprano Hildegard  Behrens makes a strong impression. This was the production that brought her into  the international spotlight, where she would remain for a dozen years or so,  eventually singing Brünnhilde at Bayreuth and the Met. Although a newcomer,  she was a mature artist--40 years old--with a potent instrument. While her  approach might lack the hair-raising intensity thatLjuba Welitschbrought to the part  (to name another Karajan collaborator, and one of the century's greatest  Salomes), it fit Karajan's conception of the role like a glove. José van  Dam makes a regal Jochanaan, and Karl-Walter Böhm gives a smarmily spot-on  characterization as Herodes. The ensemble work is superb, once again reflecting  Karajan's scrupulous attention to detail. The recording, made in the Sofiensaal  and engineered by a Decca team that was headed by James Lock, is splendidly  balanced and imposing in its impact.--Ted Libbey