Although Jacobs' recording of Le Nozze Di Figaro is fair enough, his Don Giovanni album is not good. This is the worst Don Giovanni recording ever made and should be avoided at all costs. The pacing for this scene, the climax of the entire opera, is too fast. All sense of terror, severity and power is lost. The Commendatore does not sound like a horrifying avenging figure from Hell. The whole thing is a mess here. Stick to these 3 superior versions - Karajan, Bohm and, Giulini,
I think there's too much of a temptation to make it all about tempo. There are advantages and disadvantages to each tempo -- for example, unless you take this scene fast, the flute figures don't sound like the howling wind, which is how Mozart wanted them to sound.
The bigger question is whether the scene comes off. I've heard fast versions of this scene that sounded anemic and silly. But I think this version uses the speed (and the pounding drums and brass) to make it sound scary.
Before I ge thrashed by Jacob's fans, I'd like to point out I do love many of his recordings, especially the instrumental ones with the FBO. But I personally think he's off the mark here, despite all research and marketing.
It's too fast. Jacob goes too far here. The commendatore sounds as if he was made of feathers instead of stone. The faster tempo takes away DG's natural coolness in face of the statue. It works fine for the closing part though, but most conductors anyway do an accelerando there, and Jacobs, instead of holding the pace makes Ritenuto just before DG's last cry (second thoughts perhaps?) and that sounds very 19th century romantic version, which is suprising.
Much to fast, indeed. Last year I went to the "Salle Pleyel" in Paris to hear a "best of Mozart", and this final scene from Don Giovanni was a lot too fast too. I was very disappointed. I don't understand why do people go on creating it too fast. It has to be slower... But in this record, I found the singers wonderful, although the tempo is not ! And the music is magic!
wow. definitely not my favorite recording. the last minute was ok though. of course, i'm far from being an expert on this anyway. but i will say that i love the one with kurt moll and samuel ramey. i can watch that video over and over again. i'm sure you've all seen it
When the commander speaks, it is supposed to be frightening, and he just doesn't sound terrifying in this interpretation. I don't care that DG says he isn't afraid, anyone would be terrified in this situation but there is no sense of fear. And its not just this finale, from notte giorno faticar, the tweaks make it an odd production. I am a big Jacobs fan, but I am quite disapointed with this. For a good interpretation look to Giulini or Gardiner.
If there is a "by the way", reading a couple of books from your favorite story-teller and his "philology" does not qualify YOU to think that you are an AUTHORITY on the subject, allowing no other opinions. No one knows the real truth, especially since your Wolfgangchen died in 1791.
My dear genius norcalrobbie2! If anyone is a pompous snob, it's YOU, for not "allowing" other opinions. You've said it right: "theoretically" - I don't need to read anybody's "philology" (you love that word, don't you?) Apropos, I've never said that I am a great singer, nor did I make any "wise cracks". FYI (thanks for clarifying it)one can go on only by one's experience. Mine is 40 years in the business.
Yes I DO "allow" other opinions. But I back up my opinions with reasons. If you equate that with "not allowing other opinions" then that's your issue.
What do I (I) think? I think this is no "Commendatore" voice at all, and the tempo is einfach hectic and ridiculous!!! I'd love to learn who produced this "jazzed-up" version of a scene that deserves much more nobility than this! I've sung this role in CONN, KY, and in St.Gallen, Switzerland, besides seeing countless productions of it, but in my opinion this is the PITS! "Much needed freshness? - ha! - foolishness!"
You belong to the school of over-romanticized treatment of Mozart operas, I take it. This recording wipes all that melodramatic 19th century muck away. Do a little research before you spout off. A lot of musicological philology went into making this particular recording, FYI.
The question was: "What do you think?" I said what I think! I don't know what YOUR qualifications are,(you have read mine) but Mozart needs no "improvement" for his "19th century muck"(you call it).I've done my research long before you were born, and if your sign-off abbreviation is what it appears to be, then FY2MFB.
Gallferi, you're nothing but a pompous snob, and if you're such a great singer, why are you spending time here trying to make wise cracks at elias and myself? No one cares about how great of a singer you are. Read up on Rene Jacobs philology. I'm sure his QUALIFICATIONS lend him much more credibility than yours.
Totally wipes away all the Romantic, 19th-century grime off of the work. Totally in keeping with Mozart's own practices. I got the full recording the day it was released (oct 19) and haven't stopped listening to it since. Much needed freshness for an old classic.
Wow, that was good, fast and scary...thank-you Mozart.
dthe1977 1 year ago
is it really played fast?? to me it actually sounds like it was played at normal tempo and then sped up
Doika86 1 year ago
Absolutely stunning performance! It scare me all the time. The tempo and the sound of the orchestra is perfect! I want Mozart as Mozart not Wagner!
1984robert 1 year ago
Although Jacobs' recording of Le Nozze Di Figaro is fair enough, his Don Giovanni album is not good. This is the worst Don Giovanni recording ever made and should be avoided at all costs. The pacing for this scene, the climax of the entire opera, is too fast. All sense of terror, severity and power is lost. The Commendatore does not sound like a horrifying avenging figure from Hell. The whole thing is a mess here. Stick to these 3 superior versions - Karajan, Bohm and, Giulini,
AmericanEvita 1 year ago
Comment removed
AmericanEvita 1 year ago
Beautiful! Ein Hoch auf Mozart!
Grima21 2 years ago
too fast, were they hungry? XD
argaur 2 years ago
Mozart wanted the flutes to sound like wind? I've never heard/read that -- can you point me to a source? Thanks!
agent885 2 years ago
Not bad, but much too fast. Karl Böhm (1967) and Wilhelm Furtwängler (1954) are better in my opinion.
StuporMundi86 3 years ago
I love the tempi that Rene Jacobs picks...hopefully I'll be able to get the dvd of this sometime soon =)
sonata1992 3 years ago
I think there's too much of a temptation to make it all about tempo. There are advantages and disadvantages to each tempo -- for example, unless you take this scene fast, the flute figures don't sound like the howling wind, which is how Mozart wanted them to sound.
The bigger question is whether the scene comes off. I've heard fast versions of this scene that sounded anemic and silly. But I think this version uses the speed (and the pounding drums and brass) to make it sound scary.
oleandersin 3 years ago
too fast
JamaBear 3 years ago
They were late for dinner????? It's really toooooooooooooooo fassssssssssssssst
maggeo78 3 years ago 2
for me this is the best version of mozart's don giovanni
ivanjoerock 3 years ago
I like it really, the final is an andante alla breve, like here, I found, Jacobs made this really good...
But, I think the singers are really good, Weisser as Don Giovanni and Regazzo as Leporello are perfect, on my opinion
aeru9 3 years ago
Before I ge thrashed by Jacob's fans, I'd like to point out I do love many of his recordings, especially the instrumental ones with the FBO. But I personally think he's off the mark here, despite all research and marketing.
andipipo 4 years ago
It's too fast. Jacob goes too far here. The commendatore sounds as if he was made of feathers instead of stone. The faster tempo takes away DG's natural coolness in face of the statue. It works fine for the closing part though, but most conductors anyway do an accelerando there, and Jacobs, instead of holding the pace makes Ritenuto just before DG's last cry (second thoughts perhaps?) and that sounds very 19th century romantic version, which is suprising.
andipipo 4 years ago
Totally agreed. Maybe I'll put up Giulini's :)
elias12186 4 years ago
I think this is the ridicilous recording of Norrington to EMI
cagin 4 years ago
Much to fast, indeed. Last year I went to the "Salle Pleyel" in Paris to hear a "best of Mozart", and this final scene from Don Giovanni was a lot too fast too. I was very disappointed. I don't understand why do people go on creating it too fast. It has to be slower... But in this record, I found the singers wonderful, although the tempo is not ! And the music is magic!
Fanart24 4 years ago
Too fast ... but I think that Jacobs want that because in the Marriage of Figaro that he conducted, it is fast too
Debby99999 4 years ago
Ridiculously fast. All the excitement, feeling and terror is lost...
OscarsanchezIII 4 years ago
Agreed
elias12186 4 years ago
wow. definitely not my favorite recording. the last minute was ok though. of course, i'm far from being an expert on this anyway. but i will say that i love the one with kurt moll and samuel ramey. i can watch that video over and over again. i'm sure you've all seen it
lovemusic7733 4 years ago
When the commander speaks, it is supposed to be frightening, and he just doesn't sound terrifying in this interpretation. I don't care that DG says he isn't afraid, anyone would be terrified in this situation but there is no sense of fear. And its not just this finale, from notte giorno faticar, the tweaks make it an odd production. I am a big Jacobs fan, but I am quite disapointed with this. For a good interpretation look to Giulini or Gardiner.
elias12186 4 years ago
If there is a "by the way", reading a couple of books from your favorite story-teller and his "philology" does not qualify YOU to think that you are an AUTHORITY on the subject, allowing no other opinions. No one knows the real truth, especially since your Wolfgangchen died in 1791.
gallferi 4 years ago
I didn't SAY I was an AUTHORITY on the subject, did I? If I did, gladly point that out to me.
norcalrobbie2 4 years ago
My dear genius norcalrobbie2! If anyone is a pompous snob, it's YOU, for not "allowing" other opinions. You've said it right: "theoretically" - I don't need to read anybody's "philology" (you love that word, don't you?) Apropos, I've never said that I am a great singer, nor did I make any "wise cracks". FYI (thanks for clarifying it)one can go on only by one's experience. Mine is 40 years in the business.
gallferi 4 years ago
Yes I DO "allow" other opinions. But I back up my opinions with reasons. If you equate that with "not allowing other opinions" then that's your issue.
norcalrobbie2 4 years ago
What do I (I) think? I think this is no "Commendatore" voice at all, and the tempo is einfach hectic and ridiculous!!! I'd love to learn who produced this "jazzed-up" version of a scene that deserves much more nobility than this! I've sung this role in CONN, KY, and in St.Gallen, Switzerland, besides seeing countless productions of it, but in my opinion this is the PITS! "Much needed freshness? - ha! - foolishness!"
gallferi 4 years ago
Word :)
elias12186 4 years ago
????????????????
gallferi 4 years ago
"Word:)" - what? Genius!
gallferi 4 years ago
You belong to the school of over-romanticized treatment of Mozart operas, I take it. This recording wipes all that melodramatic 19th century muck away. Do a little research before you spout off. A lot of musicological philology went into making this particular recording, FYI.
norcalrobbie2 4 years ago
The question was: "What do you think?" I said what I think! I don't know what YOUR qualifications are,(you have read mine) but Mozart needs no "improvement" for his "19th century muck"(you call it).I've done my research long before you were born, and if your sign-off abbreviation is what it appears to be, then FY2MFB.
gallferi 4 years ago
Gallferi, you're nothing but a pompous snob, and if you're such a great singer, why are you spending time here trying to make wise cracks at elias and myself? No one cares about how great of a singer you are. Read up on Rene Jacobs philology. I'm sure his QUALIFICATIONS lend him much more credibility than yours.
norcalrobbie2 4 years ago
And, by the way, it means "for your information." Genius.
norcalrobbie2 4 years ago
The singers suck, and the tempo is horrendous. My dislike has nothing to do with classical or romantic interpretation of the music.
elias12186 4 years ago
Totally wipes away all the Romantic, 19th-century grime off of the work. Totally in keeping with Mozart's own practices. I got the full recording the day it was released (oct 19) and haven't stopped listening to it since. Much needed freshness for an old classic.
norcalrobbie2 4 years ago