Eugen Jochum - Central Website (Revised)

R. Strauß: Don Juan

Try to compare as many as possible performances of Don Juan (Mengelberg, Strauss himself, Furtwängler, Karajan, Walter, Giulini) but never forget to include the one Eugen Jochum recorded in 1960 with the Concertgebouworkest for Philips. It is lyrical, emotional and virtuose. An orchestra being responsive at its utmost and a conductor providing an overwhelming feeling of belief in the music of this Symphonic Poem. Possibly the best recording ever made of this work. No words can convey the feelings this performance recalls in the listener. Among the three commercially recordings conducted by Eugen Jochum, this one is even to be preferred above the later Bamberg recording from 1984, or so I think. The Tahra reissue of the 1960 recording is therefore very welcome.