Great Wagner Conductors (4 CDs)

Early recordings of favourite Wagner orchestral selections still possess a special mystique. Five conducting giants, all born within 20 years of Wagner's death and all of whom made notable appearances at the Bayreuth Festival, are represented in this collection. Especially notable is the comparison between Hans Knappertsbusch's youthful exuberance for Polydor in 1927-28 and his final moving studio documents (on the Westminster label, in stereo) of 1962. Also featured: Furtwängler, de Sabata, Elmendorff and Jochum.    Excerpt, Wagner: Rienzi   13:35   Münchner Philharmoniker Hans Knappertsbusch Recorded: 1962 Recording Venue: Bavaria Musikstudios, München   Overture   13:35    Excerpt, Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer   12:22   Münchner Philharmoniker Hans Knappertsbusch Recorded: 1962 Recording Venue: Bavaria Musikstudios, München   Overture   12:22     Wagner: Siegfried Idyll   19:08   Münchner Philharmoniker Hans Knappertsbusch Recorded: 1962-11  Excerpt, Wagner: Lohengrin   7:24   M