Wagner: Siegfried Idyll

By Herbert Kupferberg

(Ristenpart, South German Philharmonic; Checkmate C-76010). Karl Ristenpart’s recent death (on the eve of his first American visit) deprived us of a conductor who knew how to freshen up the familiar. This Siegfried Idyll is, well, idyllic, and the Brahms Serenade No. 2 on the reverse, while it does go on, benefits no end from His affectionate treatment.