Complete Recordings of the Operas / Die Opern in Gesamtaufnahmen:
Der Rosenkavalier; Die schweigsame Frau; Arabella; Capriccio.
There has never been a closer relationship between a composer and a conductor in the 20th century. than that of Riehard Strauss and Karl Böhm. Radio and records have documented the festive live-premieres and studio-recordings, that are collected for the first time in this anniversary edition in remembrance of Strauss' 150th birthday.
In Dresden Böhm, director of the famous "Semper opera" at the time, conducted the premieres of "The Silent Woman" and "Daphne", which was dedicated to him by the composer. In Salzburg he presented the memorable postwar premiere of ''Arabella'' in 1947 and in Vienna "The Woman without a Shadow" during the festivities for the opening of the rebuilt opera house. Contemporaries describe the relationship between Strauss and Böhm as familial, even intimate. Still, the passionate cards player Strauss is reported to have said to the conductor at one point: "Why do I even care to associate with you? You don't even play skat." What Böhm did play was the "heavenly harp", as Richard Wagner once called the orchestra of the Dresden opera, as well as with the Vienna Philharmonics. Both are known as the best orchestras in the world, as far as performing the works of Richard Strauss are concerned. The 10 CDs in this box prove this impressively.
Recorded 1947-1960.
Released 2018.