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Title: The Berlin Phil. takes us to Wagner heaven for 70 min.
Review: Except for a disappointing couple of rounds with Klaus Tennstedt, Wagner has been scarce from Berlin since the death of Karajan. Recently there was a very fine CD of excerpts under Abbado, and this one with Maazel (featuring material that doesn't overlap Abbado's), shows off the orchestra's ravishing tone and effortless virtuosity. Maazel can be a perverse interpreter--one almost expects it of him--but here he's behaving well, and his ability to make ensembles sound good is undeniable. Some say he has more podium technique than anyone else in his generation. Be that as it may, ths gorgeous-sounding recording also boasts demonstration-quality sonics. Overall, a definite winner. But be sure to buy it in the mid-price issue the BMG recently made available.
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