Donna Diana Overture - Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek - 1894

This is the popular overture to von Reznicek's 3-act opera, Donna Diana. When performed in 1894, it was one of the more popular operas presented in Germany and Austria. Nowadays, the opera is very rarely performed. The overture, however, remains popular - and, in part, was used as theme music to the old time radio show "Challenge of the Yukon" - and it's TV follow-up, "Sgt. Preston of the Yukon."

These rare photos of the composer were taken during the first part of the 20th Century. The first is a standard portrait style photo (left). The second was a photo taken of him while he was in Venice, Italy, at the first meeting of the Standing Council for the International Cooperation of Composers (1934).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Donna Diana
• von Reznicek
• Erich Kunzel
• Cincinnati Pops

[BigDuckKetterer]

OMG I've been trying to find this for over 40 years!!! When the cellos come in you can almost see the Goddess Dianna racing through the forest with her bow and arrows!! I remember Sgt. Preston it was one of my favorite radio and TV shows I'm 66 yrs.old now but this makes me feel like 8-9 again!!!

[maxreger100]

For those with more than a passing interest in Reznicek, listen to his "Schlemihl" (A Fool's Life) which is a parody of Richard Strauss' "Ein Heldenleben" (A Hero's Life)

The better you know Strauss, the more hilarious is Reznicek's work. A remarkable composer unjustly ignored today.

[Jarrahnut]

I've been enjoying this since I was a little boy, in the UK, just after the War. It has always sounded magnificent. But, I am now listening to it in Western Australia ... and do you know what? ... it sounds even more magnificent! Greetings to one and all from Jarrahnut (Colin) in wonderful Western Australia! Cheers!

[gordonio9999]

@ka3zci Let's go King, This case is closed!

[gordonio9999]

@BigDuckKetterer I'm exactly the same as you and have the same memories! I get goose bumps when I hear the Donna Diana overture -- what memories of a time now long past but fondly remembered. Many thanks to the uploader!

[jivamoksha]

!!!!Marvelous and beautiful overture, this masterpiece makes me cry to remember my father, we listened classical music for years,in Mexico City, my home town. but this beautiful masterpiece has a special place in my hearth, so beautiful,!!!!

[NelsonStJames]

Thank you Sgt Preston for introducing me to Reznicek.

[baghend]

@ka3zci Right you are! Happy memories of the 50's- Sgt. Preston who always got his man- I loved this music as a kid and it wasn't till years later that I found out what it was. And The Lone Ranger (who never killed) and the William Tell. Poor kids today- nothing but Rap and Crap to listen to. Even the old Mickey mouse cartoons had classical- Von Suppe and the Poet and Peasant overture was i one of the cartoons- another stirring one.

Weren't we lucky to grow up in the 40's and 50's?

[aperezNWO]

@BigDuckKetterer Me too. Mi father had this version in a London Philarmonic Orchesta performace. but the cover were so damaged and I used to confused them with other titles and never had the chance to know the exact title ( :) ) !

In the same work they published "Guillermo Tell Obverture" and others, indeed a Masterpiece, I love specially the 3:54 part

[compassroseful]

50 years ago to day I bought a house and Ive lived here ever since this is the first piece of music I heard here all those years ago

[7927jackpark]

My brother, the classical music brain in the family, told me the name of this selection many years after we enjoyed watching Richard Simmons as Sgt Preston on television in the '50s. It's a great work....but overtures usually are.

[Aphidboy]

@ka3zci  Man, this was soooo great on my Mom's radio after school in the Fifties. The purity of the great North and a young boy's imagination. Yup, we had real heroes.