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Title: The Standard Bearer
Review: Don't kid yourself. This recording is THE STANDARD BY WHICH ALL OTHER TRISTANS FOR ALL TIME WILL BE JUDGED. Furtwangler creates a mystical magical world in which the listener has an experience of tranfiguration. Yes, this is religious language, but it accurately describes the extraordinary powers of this recording. Beyond the vocal maturity of Flagstad and Suthaus at the time of the recording, their singing is nothing less than awe inspiring. Flagstad at the end of her glorious career is nevertheless unmatched, and puts out her most melancholy Isolde. Suthaus' great asset, in contrast to a Windgassen, Vickers or even Melchior is a dark timber to his Heldentenor, which gives his Tristan a particularly tragic tone. His Third Act delirium is unrivalled and gut wrenching. The chemistry between the two, along with the supporting cast, orchestra and chorus is all due to the magic worked by Wilhelm Furtwangler. He is THE MAN. There will probably not be another creation like this.
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