Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record(s) for the item(s) in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.
Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Eli (class of 2024) and features several recordings made by the Staatskapelle Dresden orchestra. Thanks, Eli!
Staatskapelle Dresden Orchestra
While studying abroad, I was lucky enough to be able to attend a concert from the Staatskapelle Dresden, one of the world’s finest and most historic orchestras. Founded in 1548 by the Duke of Saxony, the Staatskapelle is now celebrating its 475th anniversary. The Staatskapelle plays in the famed Semperoper opera house, first built in 1841 in Baroque and Neo-Renaissance styles. Numerous composers have been linked with the orchestra throughout the years (most notably Strauss and Wagner), and the orchestra has held countless world premieres.
In 2009, the orchestra announced that Christian Thielemann would take on the role of chief conductor, a position he still holds. Thielemann, winner of the Richard Wagner Award and recipient of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, is renowned for his balance between technical precision and expressive interpretation. Under his leadership, the orchestra continues to shape classical music and fascinate its audiences.
If you, too, would like to enjoy the Staatskapelle’s signature sound, the Parsons Music Library has quite the collection of their recordings. I highly recommend Strauss’ Alpine Symphony (M1002.S91 op.64 2007 DVD), Eugen Onegin by Tchaikovsky (RM1500.T35 E8 1988), or Mozart’s Requiem Mass (RM2010.M89 1991).