Color me ignorant for not knowing the differences between a Verdi opera Prelude and a Sinfonia, here named as an Overture.
At its most basic, it seems Verdi's opera preludes are just plain shorter. They also sound more atmospheric, with less development of form compared to the overtures.
Contrastingly, and not unexpectedly, Verdi's opera Sinfonias are longer. The forms are close to how Rossini structured his overtures, with a slow introduction and a more spirited contrasting section. Of course, this is not limited to Verdi and Rossini, but for a generalized talk, the similarities do not go unnoticed, even if it is more a tradition of the form.
In general, Verdi's earlier overtures and preludes are less harmonically challenging, generally more singing, while the later works show a bigger scale of theatrical moodiness, as well as a certain command of chromaticism too.
Riccardo Muti with the La Scala Philharmonic provide the listener a different take on these works compared to another famous set from Herbert von Karajan with the Berlin PO.
Suffice to say, the differences are large enough between the two conductors and orchestras to warrant having both. Muti and La Scala are more singing and Italianate in general, with much less of Berlin's Teutonic wall of sound. In each case, Muti sheds positive light on each prelude, always timing faster than Karajan, and allowing Verdi's lithe Italian style to shine through.
Content-wise, Karajan affords the overture to Aroldo, whereas Muti chooses the Stiffelio version of the same music. On the other hand, Muti offers not only the Joan of Arc Overture, plus the I Due Foscari & I Lombardi Preludes, but also the Act II & III preludes from La Traviata, Un Ballo in Maschera, and La Forza del Destino. This means Karajan has 19 overtures at under two hours of music, and Muti with 24 preludes at over two hours of music, and Muti gives swifter timings of each track compared to Karajan too. At least, if such things matter...
Like Karajan, Muti recorded two volumes of Verdi's Overtures, the second also covered on this blog, as well as a set of Verdi's opera Choruses and Ballet music. The biggest problem is, Volumes 1 & 2 from Muti were never compiled together, where Karajan's were. You can find Verdi's opera choruses and ballets from Muti compiled with the most well-known overtures between Vol. 1 & 2, but not the whole Kit & Kaboodle.
Confusingly, Muti's first volume is titled Preludes & Overtures on the cover, but Overtures and Preludes on the back and spine, which the Sony Essential Classics reissue fixed. Aside from that bit of nitpickery, La Scala and Muti provide the listener with a fine set of Verdi overtures. I much prefer the more dramatic later works over the lighter earlier ones, but this set as a whole provides a nice variety of music from Verdi.
Listen on YouTube
Works
La Forza del Destino: Overture (7.41)
Attila: Prelude (3.32)
Nabucco: Overture (7.15)
La Traviata: Act I Prelude (3.45)
La Traviata: Act III Prelude (4.02)
Joan of Arc: Overture (7.39)
La Battaglia di Legnano: Overture (9.08)
I Masnadieri: Prelude (4.53)
Un Ballo in Maschera: Prelude (4.20)
Luisa Miller: Overture (5.56)
Aida: Prelude (4.02)
Sicilian Vespers: Overture (9.00)
Performers
La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra
Riccardo Muti, conductor
Label: Sony
Year: 1995
Total Timing: 71.21
What I found with these Verdi Overtures is, I am just not all that familiar with them, especially compared to my recent dive through Rossini's overtures.
Luckily we have Riccardo Muti and the La Scala orchestra on hand to give us the finest traditions in operatic orchestral playing in Verdi.
They are certainly much less Teutonic sounding compared to the famous Karajan collection, although many will enjoy Berlin's large wall of sound.
Find more Verdi recordings HERE!
No comments:
Post a Comment