OVERTURES IN HI FI - ALBERT WOLFF (2 CDS)

The recorded legacy of Albert Wolff is one of the most sought-after by collectors. Of Dutch parentage, but born in Paris, Wolff was something of a polymath: pianist, organist, conductor, composer, and had a long career in recording studios beginning in 1920. His first recordings for Decca, starting in the summer of 1951, were a complete Carmen (with Suzanne Juyol), a Manon (with Janine Micheau) as well as several French orchestral suites and individual pieces. 'Overtures in Hi-Fi' was the title given to a now 'cult' LP of Wolff conducting six overtures: Si j'etais roi, Le Domino Noir, Zampa, Donna Diana, Pique Dame and the Merry Wives of Windsor.

To these are added a further ten overtures to make up this 2 CD anthology.

These recordings from the 1950s readily demonstrate Auber had the knack of writing catchy tunes and he stuffed the best of them into his superbly crafted overtures...Each of these works is hugely enjoyable and we have - again - to thank Australian Decca for making these performances (last seen on an 'Eclipse' LP in 1970) available again. --PENGUIN GUIDE

Disc 1:
1.
La Princesse Jaune
2.
Benvenuto Cellini, Op. 23
3.
Le Corsaire, Op. 21
4.
Le Roi Lear, Op. 4
5.
Le Carnaval Romain, Op. 9
6.
Les Francs - Juges, Op. 3
7.
Si J'etais Roi

Disc 2:
1.
Zampa
2.
Donna Diana
3.
Pique Dame
4.
Die Lustigen Weiber Von Windsor
5.
Le Domino Noir
6.
Masaniello
7.
Le Cheval de Bronze
8.
FRA Diavolo
9.
Les Diamants de la Couronne