Rheinberger Wallenstein

[Gareth Vaughan]

I have now had an opportunity to listen to both of the available recordings of this work, and I find it really does not merit Dave Hurwitz's dismissive comments, though if he knew only the lacklustre performance on Christophorus/Signum under Nikos Athineos there is some justification for his being underwhelmed. How very much the work comes alive under Florian Krumpock's baton; it makes a significant difference. I shall listen again to this recording.

[Mark Thomas]

I really must rouse myself and get Krumpock's recording. It clearly breaths life into a work I've always regarded (from Athanaos' rendition) as dull and uninspired.

[Alan Howe]

To misquote a phrase - When he's good, he's very, very good, but when he's bad, he's horrid...

[Mark Thomas]

To be fair to the chap, he may well only know the Wallenstein from the Athinaos recording, as I do, and in that it's a pallid, uninspiring thing.

[Alan Howe]

On the other hand, he's a professional critic and ought to have had the curiosity to investigate the newer recording.

[Mark Thomas]

Hmm. Anyway, I do agree with you that Krumpock makes a much more convincing case for Wallenstein than does Athinaos.

[Alan Howe]

If he has room for another CD in his overflow room...