Schoenberg: Gurrelieder / Voigt, Larmore, Moser, Riegel, Weikl, K.M. Brandauer; Sinopoli
UntilSeiji Ozawa's classic accountof Schönberg's early postromantic masterpiece comes back into print, this is the one to look for. Sinopoli's performance took a while to make an impression on me, I have to admit.   Lush, languorous Part One, despite the enormous forces Schönberg calls for in the work, is largely slow, intimate love music.  That means it needs to be kept moving, and momentum is distinctly at a premium here with Giuseppe Sinopoli at the helm.  On repeated listenings, however, it becomes increasingly difficult not to be seduced by the sheer beauty of the playing of the Staatskapelle Dresden or won over by the ardent singing of the soloists.  And since the latter parts of the piece take off very nicely, culminating in a hugely apocalyptic wild hunt and final hymn to the sun, the performance ultimately leaves you feeling quite satisfied.  Teldec's very fine sonics, captured live, also add to the glory of the sounds coming from the orchestra and singers.  Just have a little patience for the first half-hour or so; it will pay dividends.--David Hurwitz