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Faust

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Faust

By: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Narrated by: Auriol Smith, Gunnar Cauthery, Stephen Critchlow, Hugh Dickson, Anne-Marie Piazza, Sean Barrett
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About this listen

Faust is one of the pillars of Western literature. This classic drama presents the story of the scholar Faust, tempted into a contract with the Devil in return for a life of sensuality and power. Enjoyment rules, until Faust’s emotions are stirred by a meeting with Gretchen, and the tragic outcome brings Part 1 to an end. Part 2, written much later in Goethe’s life, places his eponymous hero in a variety of unexpected circumstances, causing him to reflect on humanity and its attitudes to life and death.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2011 Naxos Audiobooks Classics

Critic Reviews

Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award

"If it’s been a while since you tackled Goethe’s Faust - like, forever - don’t wait a moment longer. John R. Williams’s sparkling English translation is delightful, full of wit and delicious rhymes, and would be reason enough to fling yourself at it, but this full-cast production more than doubles the pleasure.... The performances are marvelous, and the sound effects clever and often gorgeous (the choir!).... What a great theatrical experience." (AudioFile)

“Listen straight through and you get a vivid experience of the Faust drama in ways you would not get in any other form. The English translation is mellifluous and not stilted, and the recitation is terrific. Anyone who has appreciated the various settings of Faust by Gounod, Berlioz, Schumann, etc., will revel in the full drama enacted in the spirit Goethe intended.... Highly recommended.” (Grego Applegate Edwards, Gapplegate Classical-Modern Music Review)

All stars
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Action was his salvation. Feeling could not countenance reason. A true joy and logos fulfilled.

Faust and the word

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The voices, the sound effects and especially the music are all superb and surpringly good in this audio production of Faust. I can't think of how they could improve upon this production in terms of its aural feast. As for the story portrayal I am not familiar enough with the work to be able to pass comment. But in terms of the actual audio production I say Bravo!

Superb Production

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Possibly my favourite English translation of Faüst, coupled with two amazing voice actors for Faüst and Mephistopheles. The rhymes, the rhythm, the pacing, and the background scenery actually made more sense to me than reading it. Amazing sense of atmosphere, I only wish it was the unabridged version since I want more. 10/10 performance

I’ve listened to this too many times

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