Comments on: Johann Strauss’s “Aschenbrödel” (1899): A Modern-Day Cinderella Story Conducted By Ernst Theis

By: mradam2681

mradam2681 — Sun, 22 Sep 2024 09:30:04 +0000

Where is it claimed that Bonynge’s recording is in a “…1980′s enhanced’ orchestration”? The orchestration in Bonynge’s recording is no different than any other opus by Strauss II or his contemporaries in the annals of “light music” in the Viennese style. I have no doubt that if people were not aware of Bayer’s contribution they would have a far more positive opinion of the score. Should Strauss had finished the score, I doubt very much that it would have been drastically different from what Bayer did with whatever material was completed before Strauss’s death. Regarding the recent Theis/ORF recording of Aschenbrödel, it is interesting to hear the “complete” music, but the arrangement used is run-of-the-mill (making me suspect that there are missing elements in the orchestration) and the performance does nothing to compensate for this and is dull as hell.

By: Mr. Rene Krammer

Mr. Rene Krammer — Sat, 08 May 2021 23:19:19 +0000

I found this CPO release charming. I also own the 1980 London release of Aschenbrodel. Each recordings have their merits. The late Joseph Bayer did a fine job in completing the score of Johann Strauss. Only Strauss alone could have done his magic for his only Ballet. One of those great what if Strauss had not died before finishing the full orchestral scoring. Would the Ballet be a world wide success?? We will never know. Yet, we do have the Ballet as is that just needs a perfect staging of performance and inspired conducting of the music to bring it alive. As a true fan of the Waltz King. Iam pleased that I own two CD versions of Aschenbrodel to listen too. Plus the Vienna State Opera production of 1999 to honor the centennial of Johann Strauss II passing on DVD.