Karl Ristenpart conducts Brahms and Wagner

There's been a little Karl Ristenpart festival going on at Symphonyshare the past couple weeks and I thought it would be a great idea if I make a small contribution. Ristenpart is mostly remembered for performances of music from the baroque and classical periods but here we have him in music which is most definitely 19th century and romantic in spirit.

Wagner's Siegfried Idyll is a masterpiece of phrasing and gentle lyricism. This is proof that Wagner was a master away from the stage and could draw great inspiration from intimate, personal events, in this case the celebration of the birth of his son Siegfried. Brahms' second serenade is a gentle, bucolic piece of wonderful melodies and strong contrasting harmonies. This serenade and the first one were steps on the path that would lead to Brahms' magnificent first symphony. In these serenades, Brahms is becoming accustomed to larger ensembles and mastering the fine art of orchestration. A methodical man, Brahms would perfect those tools that he would need to create his large scale orchestral masterpieces some years in the future.

Karl Ristenpart's careful and studied approach yields fine readings of these two marvelous works. Though others might impart more urgency or directness in their approach, Ristenpart offers sunny readings that are well, very much in the relaxed South German way. The orchestra, the South German Philharmonic, is probably a pseudonym for the Stuttgart RSO, the Stuttgart PO or maybe even the great Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra. Whoever they are (the recording was made in 1967 in Stuttgart), they play well for Ristenpart.

I have enjoyed the "series" of recordings, that others have transferred from lp, made by this wonderful conductor. Whatever can be said of Ristenpart must include the words "consistent." "quality," and "honesty." It's good that we are remembering this excellent musician.

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Harpsichord Concerti by J S Bach conducted by Karl Ristenpart

This really nice Nonesuch LP was one of my very first records, bought some 30 years ago when I wa in high school. I used to visit the old Strawberries Records (a Boston chain long time gone..I think bought by Sam Goody) on Friday nights as my dad would drive me down to the local mall where it was located. Strawberries had a good selection of $2.95 albums which were perfect for the high school kid on a budget!

Karl Ristenpart recorded a substantial number of Bach recordings during the 60's with his very fine Chamber Orchestra of the Saar. Especially notable was a very popular, and omnipresent item for Nonesuch, of Bach's Magnificat. I think Ristenpart, along with Karl Richter, really dusted the cobwebs off of Bach and their efforts helped to spawn the movement toward period performance practices. Certainly, what we have here are four concertos for one and more harpsichords which are splendidly rendered and very tastefully performed. They really do sparkle and are a joy to listen to some 40 years+ after being recorded.

You know, I really miss the old Nonesuch LP label. I grew up on it and really built a good collection of LP's and performances from it. I still have my first Nonesuch LP, The Art of the Baroque Trumpet with Edward H Tarr - a great, great record. It's too bad that Warner/Elektra (or whatever that conglomerate is called now) lets the awesome collection from Nonesuch rot away in some warehouse. Many gems are in that collection, including this one!

Enjoy...full notes etc. in the download.

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