Marita & Her Heart's Desire

On this CD:

1. Marita and Her Heart's Desire
Composed by Bruce Adolphe
Performed by Itzhak Perlman, Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society
Conducted by Bruce Adolphe

2. Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell), for speaker ad lib & orchestra, Op. 34
Composed by Benjamin Britten
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Andre Previn

Tracks:

Ouverture
Sinfonia
Recitativo: Egeo, Mio Genitor
Sinfonia
Recitativo: Qual Presagio Funesto!
Aria: Mirami, Altero In Volto
Recitativo: Non Si Disperi
Aria: Dille, Che Nel Mio Seno Serbo
Recitativo: Pur Siam Soli
Aria: Deh! Lascia Un Tal Desio
Recitativo: Ma, Non E Questi Alceste?
Aria: Nel Pugnar Col Mostro Infido
Recitativo: Ma, Non Si Attenda
Aria: Tal' Or D'Oscuro
Recitativo: Non Piu, Che L'Amor Tuo M'Offende!
Aria: Quel Cor Che Adora
Recitativo: Della Patria E De' Miseri
Aria: Sdegnata Sei Con Me
Recitativo: E Mi Lascio Il Crudele?
Aria: Sdegno, Amore

Tracks:

Recitativo Accompagnato: Oh Patria! Oh Cittadini!/Larghetto: Sol Ristoro Di Mortali
Reciativo Accompagnato: Disseratevi, O Porte/Larghetto-Allegro: Lo Ti Tengo/Recitativo: Ah! Che Pur Sogno Ancor!
Aria: Salda Quercia In Erta Balza
Recitativo: (Alceste E Qui, Si Tenti)
Aria: Non Ha Diffesa
Recitativo: Il Soccorer Carilda
Aria: So Che Non E Piu Mio
Recitativo: Pensa, Che Di Carilda
Aria: Qual Leon Che Fere Irato
Recitativo: Eh! La Speme L'Inganna
Aria: Narrargli Allor Saprei
Recitativo: Idolo Mio!
Aria: Al' Fine Amore
Recitativo: Fuggiam, Fuggiam!
Aria: Che Se Fiera Poi Mi Nieghi
Recitativo: Numi! E Voi Lo Soffrite!
Aria: Son Qual Stanco Pellegrin
Recitativo: Perdon ti Chiedo
Aria: Se Ti Condanno
Recitativo: Ah! Silenzio Spietato!
Duetto: Bell' Idolo Amato
Recitativo: Quel Crudele Di Me Pieta Non Sente
Aria: Se Nel Bosco Resta Solo

Tracks:

Sinfonia
Recitativo: Vorrai Dunque, Oh Carilda?
Aria: Un Tenero Pensiero
Recitativo: Questa Sola Speranza
Aria: Par Che Voglia Il Ciel Sereno
Accompagnato: Ove Son? Qual Orrore?
Aria: Qui Ti Sfido, O Mostro Infame
Recitativo: Ho Vinto! Grazie Ai Numi
Aria: Turbato Il Mar Si Vede
Recitativo: Se Il Minotauro Ei Vinse
Aria: In Mar Tempestoso
Recitativo: Di Te In Traccia Ne Vengo
Duetto: Mira Adesso Questo Seno
Recitativo: Meta Del Mio Gior La Piu Gradita
Aria: Bella Sorge La Speranza/Coro: Bella Sorge La Speranza

Customer Reviews:

Another Winner from Handel and MDG.......2006-05-25

Okay. So I'm biased. Handel is my favorite composer. But even if he's not your favorite there are still many reasons to purchase this set of 3 CDs. If you enjoy baroque vocal music. If you enjoy wonderful singing and graceful music. Long, tuneful arias punctuated by brief recitatives. Also the production label for this CD is MDG and the acoustics for their recordings are always top-notch without any sort of soundmodifying manipulation. And how they can produce such a superior recording of 3 CDs for $20 and some change is beyond me. Anyway I'm not a knowledgeable music critic. I just know what I like though I do happen to think I have good taste in music. In my humble opinion music like Handel's is a privileged foretaste of what we will experience in Heaven. That may sound like hyperbole to some but not to those of us who are passionate about baroque music. If you're a seasoned Handel fan you must have this recording. If you're new to the baroque vocal music scene you also must have it. Hurry up and purchase before the good people at MDG come to their senses and double the price!

Average customer rating:

Would have got six but for the lack of libretto...
A Ring des Nibelungen for all seasons ...
underrated ring
Excellent conducting and great singers with a few flaws
Oh that Dresden sound...

Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen
Symphonies 1-9
Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen
Wagner: Parsifal
Wagner: The Ring

ASIN: B00011MJV6
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

Prelude - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Weia! Waga! Woge, Du Welle! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
He He! Ihr Nicker! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Garstig Glatter, Glitschriger Glimmer! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Lugt, Schwestern! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Der Welt Erbe Gewann Ich Zu Eigen - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Wotan! Gemahl! Erwache! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
So Schirme Sie Jetzt - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Sanft Schloss Schlaf Dein Aug' - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Zu Mir, Freia! Meide Sie, Frecher! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Endlich Loge! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Immer Ist Undank Loges Lohn! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Umsonst Sucht' Ich - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Nicht Gonn' Ich Das Gold Dem Alben - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
an, Der Harrenden Wort! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Jetzt Fand Ich's: Hort, Was Euch Fehlt! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Auf Loge, Hinab Mit Mir! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Hehe! Hehe! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Nibelheim Hier - Karl-Heinz Stryczek

Tracks:

Wer Helfe Mir? - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Nehmt Euch In Acht! Alberich Naht - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Was Wollt Ihr Hier? - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Die In Linder Lufte Wehn Da Oben Ihr Lebt - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Wen Doch Fasste Nicht Wunder - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Riesen-Wurm Winde Sich Ringelnd! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Nun Schnell Hinauf: Dort Is Er Unser - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Da, Vetter, Sitze Du Fest! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Wohlan, Die Nibelungen Rief Ich Mir Nah - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Gezahlt Hab Ich; Nun Lasst Mich Ziehn! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Bin Ich Nun Frei? - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Fasolt Und Fafner Nahen Von Fern - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Halt! Nicht Sie Beruhrt! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Nicht so Leicht Und Locker Gefugt! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Freia, Die Schone, Schau' Ich Nicht Mehr - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Weiche, Wotan, Weiche! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Hort, Ihr Riesen! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Halt, Du Gieriger! Gonne Mir Auch Was! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Was Gleicht, Wotan, Wohl Deinem Glucke? - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Schwules Gedunst Schwebt In Der Luft - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Zur Burg Fuhrt Die Brucke - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Ihrem Ende Eilen Sie Zu - Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Rheingold! Rheingold! Reines Gold! - Karl-Heinz Stryczek

Tracks:

Prelude - Siegfried Jerusalem
Wes Herd Dies Auch Sei, Hier Muss Ich Rasten - Siegfried Jerusalem
Mild Am Herd Fand Ich Den Mann - Siegfried Jerusalem
Friedmund Darf Ich Nicht Heissen - Siegfried Jerusalem
Ich Weiss Ein Wildes Geschlecht - Siegfried Jerusalem
Ein Schwert Verhiess Mir Der Vater - Siegfried Jerusalem
Schlafst Du, Gast? - Siegfried Jerusalem
Der Manner Sippe Sass Hier Im Saal - Siegfried Jerusalem
Wintersturme Wichen Dem Wonnemond - Siegfried Jerusalem
Du Bist Der Lenz - Siegfried Jerusalem
War Walse Dein Vater - Siegfried Jerusalem
Siegmund Heiss Ich Und Siegmund Bin Ich! - Siegfried Jerusalem

Tracks:

Prelude - Siegfried Jerusalem
Nun Zaume Dein Ross, Reisige Maid! - Siegfried Jerusalem
Dir Rat Ich, Vater, Ruste Dich Selbst - Siegfried Jerusalem
Der Alte Sturm, Die Alte Muh! - Siegfried Jerusalem
So Ist Es Denn Aus Mit Den Ewigen Gottern - Siegfried Jerusalem
In Wildem Leiden Erwuchs Er Sich Selbst - Siegfried Jerusalem
Was Verlangst Du? - Siegfried Jerusalem
Schlimm, Furcht Ich, Schloss Der Streit - Siegfried Jerusalem
O Heilige Schmach - Siegfried Jerusalem
Als Junger Liebe Lust Mir Verblich - Siegfried Jerusalem
O Sag' Kunde, Was Soll Nun Dein Kind? - Siegfried Jerusalem
Raste Nun Hier; Gonne Dir Ruh! - Siegfried Jerusalem

Tracks:

Siegmund! Sieh Auf Mich - Siegfried Jerusalem
Zauberfest Bezahmt Ein Schlaff - Siegfried Jerusalem
Kehrte Der Vater Nur Heim! - Siegfried Jerusalem
Wehwalt! Wehwalt! - Siegfried Jerusalem
Geh Hin, Knecht! Knie Vor Fricka - Siegfried Jerusalem
Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! Heiaha! - Siegfried Jerusalem
Nach Dem Tann Lenkt Sie Das Taumelnde Ross - Siegfried Jerusalem
Schutzt Mich, Und Helft In Hochster Not! - Siegfried Jerusalem
Nicht Sehr Dich Sorge Um Mich - Siegfried Jerusalem
So Fliehe Denn Eilig Und Fliehe Allein! - Siegfried Jerusalem
Steh! Brunnhild! - Siegfried Jerusalem
Wo Ist Brunnhild', Wo Die Verbrecherin? - Siegfried Jerusalem

Tracks:

Hier Bin Ich, Vater - Siegfried Jerusalem
War Es So Schmahlich, Was Ich Verbrach? - Siegfried Jerusalem
Als Fricka Den Eignen Sinn Dir Entfremdet - Siegfried Jerusalem
So Tatest Du, Was So Gern Zu Tun Ich Begehrt - Siegfried Jerusalem
Wohl Taugte Dir Nicht Die Tor'ge Maid - Siegfried Jerusalem
Und Das Ich Ihn In Stucke Schlug! - Siegfried Jerusalem
Leb Wohl, Du Kuhnes, Herrliches Kind! - Siegfried Jerusalem
Der Augen Leuchtendes Paar - Siegfried Jerusalem
Loge, Hor! - Siegfried Jerusalem

Tracks:

Prelude
Zwangvolle Plage! Muh Ohne Zweck!
Hoiho! Hoiho!
Da Hast Du Die Stucken, Schandlicher Stumper
Als Zullendes Kind Zog Ich Dich Auf
Vieles Lehrtest Du, Mime
Einst Lag Wimmernd Ein Weib
Und Diese Stucken Sollst Du Mir Schmieden
Da Sturmt Er Hin
Heil Dir, Weiser Schmied
Hier Sitz Ich Am Herd Und Setze Mein Haupt
Was Zu Wissen Dir Frommt, Solltest Du Fragen
Die Stucken! Das Schwert! O Weh! Mir Schwindelt
Verfluchtes Licht
Heda! Fauler!

Tracks:

Bist Du Es, Kind?
Fuhltest Du Nie Im Finstren Wald
Her Mit Den Stucken, Fort Mit Dem Stumper
Notung! Notung! Neidliches Schwert!
Hoho! Hoho! Hohei!
Prelude
In Wald Und Nacht
Zur Neidhohle Fuhr Ich Bei Nacht
Mit Mir Nicht, Hadre Mit Mime
Fafner! Fafner! Erwache, Wurm!
Nun, Alberich, Das Schlug Fehl
Wir Sind Zur Stelle
Dass Der Mein Vater Nicht Ist

Tracks:

Aber Wie Sah Meine Mutter Wohl Aus?
Meine Mutter, Ein Menschenweib!
Ha Ha! Da Hatte Mein Lied
Wer Bist Du, Kuhner Knabe
Zur Kunde Taugt Kein Toter
Wohin Schleichst Du Eilig Und Schlau
Was Ihr Mir Nutzt, Weiss Ich Nicht
Willkommen, Siegfried!
Da Lieg Auch Du, Dunkler Wurm!
Prelude
Wache, Wala! Wala! Erwach!
Stark Ruft Das Lied

Tracks:

Dir Unweisen Ruf' Ich Ins Ohr
Mein Voglein Schwebte Mir Fort
Wohin, Knabe, Heisst Dich Dein Weg?
Kenntest Du Mich, Kuhner Spross
Mit Zerfochtner Waffe Floh Mir Der Feige?
Selige Ode Auf Sonniger Hoh!
Das Ist Kein Mann!
Heil Dir, Sonne!
O Siegfried! Siegfried! Seliger Held!
Dort Seh Ich Grane
Ewig War Ich, Ewig Bin Ich

Tracks:

Welch Licht Leuchtet Dort?
Treuberatner Vertrage Runen
Es Ragt Die Burg Von Riesen Gebaut
Zu Neuen Taten, Teurer Helde
Willst Du Mir Minne Schenken
O Heilige Gotter!
Siegfrieds Rheinfahrt
Nun Hor, Hagen
Wen Ratst Du Nun Zu Frein
Jagt Er Auf Taten Wonnig Umher
Wer Ist Gibichs Sohn?
Begrusse Froh, O Held
Willkommen, Gast, In Gibichs Haus!

Tracks:

Deinem Bruder Bot Ich Mich Zum Mann
Bluhenden Lebens Labendes Blut
Frisch Auf Die Fahrt!
Hier Sitz Ich Zur Wacht, Wahre Den Hof
Altgewohntes Gerausch
Hore Mit Sinn, Was Ich Dir Sage!
Welch Banger Traume Maren
Was Leckt So Wutend
Brunnhild'! Ein Freier Kam
Prelude
Schlafst Du, Hagen, Mein Sohn?

Tracks:

Hoioh, Hagen! Muder Mann!
Heiss Mich Willkommen, Gibichskind!
Hoiho! Hoihohoho!
Heil Dir, Gunther!
Gegrusst Sei, Teurer Held
Einen Ring Sah Ich An Deiner Hand
Heil'ge Gotter, Himmlische Lenker!
Helle Wehr! Heilige Waffe!
Gunther, Wehr Deinem Weibe
Welches Unholds List Liegt Hier Verholen?
Vertraue Mir, Betrogne Frau!
Auf Gunther, Edler Gibichung
Prelude
Frau Sonne Sendet Lichte Strahlen
Ein Albe Fuhrte Mich Irr

Tracks:

Was Leid' Ich Doch Das Karge Lob?
Siegfried! Siegfried! Siegfried!
Hoiho!
Trink, Gunther, Trink!
Mime Heiss Ein Murrischer Zwerg
In Leid Zu Dem Wipfel Lauscht' Ich Hinauf
Brunnhild'! Heilige Braut!
Siegfrieds Trauermarsch/Siegfried's Funeral March
War Das Sein Horn?
Hoiho! Hoiho! Wacht Auf!
Nicht Klage Wider Mich!
Schweigt Eures Jammers Jauchzenden Schwall
Starke Scheite Schichtet Mir Dort
Mein Erbe Nun Nehm' Ich Zu Eigen
Liegt Heim, Ihr Raben!

Amazon.com

Made between 1980 and 1983, this was the first digital recording of Wagner's Ring cycle. Upon rehearing, it has stood up very well. Janowski's conducting is no-nonsense, no-attitude: he presents the music beautifully played by the Dresden forces, with a fine feeling for the drama and relatively swift tempi. The end of Rheingold has great majesty, the opening storm and third act Ride in Walkuere are well-propelled and exciting, and the gorgeous music which takes Siegfried to Brünnhilde's rock is as beautiful as can be, while Siegfried's Rhine Journey is airy and optimistic and his Funeral music suitably heavy and tragic. Theo Adam is a fine Wotan/Wanderer, rising to great dramatic heights in Siegfried; Jessye Norman and Siegfried Jerusalem as the Volsung Twins are at their youthful best; Matti Salminen's Hagen is menacing and cruel; Siegmund Nimsgern doesn't miss a trick as Alberich; Peter Schreier's Mime is Siegfried is truly sung, rather than yelped, and very vivid (as is his Rheingold Loge); Yvonne Minton is a less-shrewish-than-usual Fricka and Norma Sharp is the most aviary Forest Bird on disc. René Kollo's Siegfried is not exactly heroic, but he inflects nicely and is always involved and spirited. The set's only weakness is not terminal but it's a pity: Jeannine Altmeyer is a lovely, intelligent singer, but her voice is too light for Brünnhilde and she's not the riveting character she should be. Luxury casting elsewhere (Lucia Popp is a Rhinemaiden; Cheryl Studer a Valkyrie) pays off. The accompanying booklet contains an essay and scene-by-scene synopsis, but no libretto. But at midprice, this handsome-sounding set is a very good bet. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Would have got six but for the lack of libretto..........2007-02-02

...But Ring veterans wouldn't need the libretto, do they?
The casting is fabulous, the directing superb, the orchestra in great form.
I do not want to write a long dissertation for this great value box set.
The Testament set is coming out at a much much more expensive price.
Anyway, if the only 'flaw' (if you want to call it) you find in this set is Brunnhilde and Siegfried and Wotan, then you are not really a Ring fan.
Altmeyer and Kollo are more than adequate in the two lead roles. Adam's voice is a bit worn in this recording, granted that he has sung for such a long time as Wotan by the time this was recorded. But they do NOT detract from the overall high standard a single jot.
Salminen's Hagen was formidable, if not his Fafner. Norman and Jerusalem are simply an immaculate pair of Walsungs. The Rhinemaidens are SO lovely with a diamond cast including Lucia Popp. The Valkyries rival any Bayreuth line-up.
Siegfried's forging song was immaculately taken with Kollo and Schreier, the latter not being a Wagnerian heldentenor but adds so much colour and drama to the secondary Wagnerian tenor roles: the Young Steersman in Tristan und Isolde, Loge in Rheingold, Mime in Siegfried...
Of all the four parts, I would opt that Siegfried is the best recorded. A real standout, with the rest consistently high in standard.

A Ring des Nibelungen for all seasons ..........2006-11-27

This Ring des Nibelungen cycle has virtually everything that one would expect of this music, I think. Personally, I would like a little more grandure, power and building of climaxes in the orchestral playing at times, but one can find that with other recordings if one wishes so. I am not going to compare much with other recordings here (for example my personal favorite, the highly emotive Barenboim Ring), because if we evaluate this recording, it must be done so on its own merits, which are certainly many.
First of all the nice recording quality: clear but spacious, rounded but 'direct' enough so that one is able to revel in the velvety, disciplined playing of the Staatskapelle Dresden. The playing in general is not overstated, rather measured, often intimate, I would say, but luckily compensated with 'crispness' and 'attack' and with enough drive to urge on the drama and to completely hold one's attention.
Anyway, the playing wonderfully complements the singers, who IMHO are the best for their roles. Except maybe Theo Adam's Wotan, who I believe doesn't sound 'weighty' enough for what I would expect of the role, and whose singing I find strained and wobbly at times. (But then again, I am rather biased towards the more 'chesty', booming voice of John Tomlinson in this role - quite a commanding presence, his Wotan.) The singing ranges from good to marvelous throughout, whatever one's personal tastes, with the towering talents of characterization by the sweetvoiced Siegfried Jerusalem (Siegmund) and Rene Kollo (Siegfried). And although her Brunnhilde may not be as matronly a lady as others, I am especially endeared to the soft, velvety timbre (very appropriate for this recording) of American soprano Jeannine Altmeyer, sounding youthful and sweet but with enough ardour and with a touch of necessary vulnarability; a very sympathetic and intelligent lady, this Brunnhilde. And then there are the dark and commanding Fafner and Hagen of Matti Salminen. The Rhinemaidens' voices are fresh and pure-sounding and blend wonderfully. Ortrun Wenkel creates a deeply resounding, world-weary Erda. Of Yvonne Minton's Fricka one could say that she may not be as fierce or commanding as others (take Linda Finnie for Barenboim), but she is certainly beautifully nuanced in her emotional engagement.
All in all, a Ring des Nibelungen with many strengths I believe, and no real weak points, but somewhat more 'lyrical' and without much of the 'weightiness', gravitas and power of some. But I think this somewhat more 'lightweighted', more lyrical approach is just fine, truly giving the singers ample possibility to really, well, sing out their lines.
For anyone who loves Wagner's Ring des Nibelungen, or who would like to get acquainted with Wagner's great masterwork this is a very consistent and finely nuanced modern Ring Cycle (probably enough money to secure all the necessary talents for the whole time needed to record it), a safe buy and a rewarding listen. Highly recommended. (But 'only' four *stars*, because a fifth *star* I must reserve for the Barenboim Ring, to be completely honest ...)

underrated ring.......2006-10-26

This much underrated Ring is my personal favorite at the moment. For exactly half the price of the Solti set you get one of the most gifted orchestras in the world (possibly second only to the Wiener Philarmoniker) in its full amazing splendor, under the baton of an extremely talented conductor. Marek Janowski conducts the Staatskapelle Dresden in a reading of the score that some might term cold, while it's instead supremely intelligent (I would even say intellectual if the term hadn't lost its original meaning--and acquired a negative one--in the course of the years). Hundreds of small details that one would never have dreamed they existed emerge from Janowski's reading giving the listener continuous pleasure. You can almost picture in your head the score of every single instrument while listening to this Ring.

The cycle starts with the best Rheingold I have ever heard: the prelude emerges with a quantity of instrumental detail that's simply astonishing (while one usually tends to get just the strings submerging all the rest) and at a pace that's simply the most "exact" for this piece. The transition between the prelude and scene one has a lightness of touch, a swiftness, a mobility that for the first time render with appropriateness the playful teasing and swimming of the Rhine Daughters. Beautiful moments like this abound in this Tetralogy.

The first act of Walküre manages to combine Karajan's intelligent reading with a Solti-like drive. The musical and leitmotivic extreme complexity of the scores of Siegfried's Act III and of Götterdämmerung (i.e. those parts of the Ring that Wagner composed after Tristan and Meistersinger) are rendered with supreme clarity. Nowhere have I heard in the closing seconds of the Tetralogy the Twilight-of-the-Gods motif--just before the final lone expansion of the Redemption theme--with such evidence and clarity. In Karajan you barely hear it, submerged as it is by the brass parts.

The cast, despite some few minor weaknesses, stands proudly on its own. First you don't get two Wotans, two Brünnhildes, two Siegfrieds in the course of the work as it happens in some other recordings and this has its importance. A great feature of this Ring is also the possibility of hearing excellent singers at the very beginning of their careers together with other, more experienced, singers. Thus you get Jessye Norman's radiant Sieglinde, Siegfried Jerusalem's vocally firm Siegmund, René Kollo's excellent (and I repeat excellent) Siegfried. One would expect his voice to be a little too thin for the part, but while it shows some fatigue in the most difficult moments (the forging scene, and the swearing of the oath) it creates probably the most youthful, poetic and lyrical Siegfried on CD in the Neidhöhle forest and in the whole Götterdämmerung. Theo Adam's vocal longevity is astonishing when you think that he sang Wotan in 1967 for Böhm, but his vocal line is still firm and imperious, and the personality unequaled. And he possesses the text like no other ever has after Hotter.

Yvonne Minton is an excellent Fricka in both Rheingold and Walküre. Peter Schreier is probably the best Loge on CD, in a supreme rendering of this ambiguous character, and also one of the best Mime in Siegfried, while Mime in Rheingold is sung by a not overtly gifted Christian Vogel. Kurt Moll is a strong Hunding. Siegmund Nimsgern is a good Alberich (even though one still misses Neidlinger's outstanding performance with Solti) and Matti Salminen is a robust Hagen. And, finally, Jeannine Altmeyer's Brünnhilde: while not possessing the vocal line of a Flagstad or of a Nilsson, in this early part of her career she was still endowed with a freshness of voice, a youthfulness of expression that certainly leaves aside the godly part of this character but renders nonetheless very well the human part, that of the woman Brünnhilde.

Finally, the quality of the recording makes it an even better buy. The beauty of the Wagner sound emerges triumphantly from these 14 CD's. It is a DDD recording with a spatial definition, a balance between voices and orchestra, a balance between different sections of the orchestra that's never been matched afterwards.

This is a Ring that's particularly recommended to experienced listeners. In it they will find an incredible balance between modernity and tradition and endless pleasure and fascination for the innumerable treasures Janowski, together with his sublime orchestra, unveils.

Happy listening!

Excellent conducting and great singers with a few flaws.......2006-07-05

This Ring by Janowski has a lot of strong points that would make it essential for those who love Wagner's Ring. The most prominent feature of this recording, of course, is the fabulous playing of Wagner's score by the Dresden Staatskapelle. Someone familiar with Solti or Bohm would find that Janowski's musical phrasing is much lighter in weight than the usual meat and potatoes Wagner listeners are accustomed to. When I say lighter in weight, I don't mean that the orhcestra sounds leaner (like Levine's orchestra which sounds like diet Wagner), but that the orchestral phrasing of each musical component is highlighted and well-balanced. It is a very classical reading, with a Brahmsian quality to it, and the phrasing is unusually flexible for a German orchestra. I think this reading of the work brings out more of Wagner's polyphonic structures more so than any other conductor was able to do. For the orchestral reading alone would I recommend this Ring, but the cast is quite strong too. For example, you have Jessye Norman and Siegfried Jerusalem as the Walsung twins. While Jerusalem and Norman would not erase memories of Rysanek, King, Vickers, and Janowitz, they are a very credible pair at the prime of their careers. Theo Adam's Wotan was never a large-Hotter like sound, but what he makes up for lack of weight is an intelligent reading that most of today's Wotans could never touch. It is a very insightful reading, although he was much better for Bohm. Siegmund Nimsgern is an excellent Alberich, and Yvonne Minton makes a most beautifully vocalized and dramatized Fricka. The Norns, Rhinemaidens, Valkyries, and Gibichungs are all very well cast, with Matti Salminen coming to special mention for his amazing Hagen. Kurt Moll makes a most fabulous Hunding, and Peter Schreier's Loge and Mime are some of the best sung (and not yelped) character roles in the ring. Ortrun Wenkel's Erda and Waltraute are not to be missed.

Of course, I must speak of the two main characters--Brunnhilde and Siegfried, who are so essential to making any Ring work. The Siegfried in this recording is Rene Kollo. He is the first jugendlich dramatische heldentenor ever to be cast in the role at his prime in such a recording, and while several Bayreuth and pirate Rings showcase great tenor voices such as Hans Hopf, Melchior, Windgassen, and Treptow as Siegfried, no one had the kind of voice Wagner had in mind for the role. Rene Kollo has it all--sensitive phrasing, great acting, and a voice that spans Siegfried's vocal requirements. I think he is one of the best Siegfrieds since Jess Thomas.

Brunnhilde is taken by Jeannine Altmeyer, who was Sieglinde in Boulez's ring in the 1976 Patrice Chereau production in Bayreuth. Hers is a light voice, a bit lighter than Crespin's, but unfortunately she doesn't do as much wonders with the role the way Crespin does. It is a very young, girlish Brunnhilde that makes us believe that she is a willowy, gorgeous figure that Wagner had in mind when writing the Ring libretto. She isn't the most involved of singers though. It is very well vocalized, but lacks the beauty of expression given by singers such as Helga Dernesch, Gwyneth Jones, Regine Crespin, and Astrid Varnay. Still, her Brunnhilde is a wonderful addition to the discography (one could wish that she would work on her German a bit), and her interpretation gives us an image of a young, svelte woman.

The sound in this recording is excellent, and I'd recommend it to anyone who would want to understand the polyphonic scores of Wagner's ring.

Oh that Dresden sound..........2006-04-15

The Dresden Orchestra is among my favourites - it has this wonderful autumnal sound that suits Wagner & Strauss to a 'T'.
Janowski's conducting is ideal for living with - he keeps things moving along nicely, sets up climaxes perfectly and never loses sight of the overall structure of the operas. This thoroughly musical performance would be an ideal introduction for anyone coming fresh to the ring, as it lacks the eccentricities of other cycles that can overtake your expectations of what 'should be'. More experienced ring collectors, too, will find themselves enthralled by much in this set.

More than any of the recent recordings Janowski's casting quality runs deep into all the minor roles, and has the advantage of having the same casts for the same roles throughout the four operas. Since Amazon does not clearly list the singers with the roles I will do so at the end of the review.

Highlights are many, and there are even some highlights in the context of the whole recorded history of the Ring (especially considering this is the first in digital sound and still the most natural and clear recording available, with voices and orchestra in perfect balance).

Worthy of special mention are the young Jerusalem & Norman as Siegmund & Sieglinde (Act 1 of Die Walkure must be among the best ever); Nimsgern's articulate Alberich; the Rhinemaidens (have they ever sounded so beautiful?); Peter Schreier's ideally characterised Loge & Mime; and Kurt Moll's cavernous Hunding. Theo Adam's years of experience shine through a wonderfully lived-in if occasionally unsteady Wotan. The Valkyries, boasting several rising stars, are among the very best groups ever assembled.

Kollo's Siegfried is wonderful in the opera that bears his name, a little forced sometimes in Gotterdammerung but still musical. Altmeyer's Brunnhilde isn't particularly attention grabbing - very pleasant in tone but a bit penny-plain in interpretation. She is always adequate but something more insightful (a la Varnay or Behrens) would have been nice. Having said that, I think criticism of her has been too harsh - she has a lovely voice and can hardly be said to spoil this recording. Perhaps it's that, with everything else so fine, one wishes for an all-conquering Brunnhilde to crown the set.

But I come back to the orchestral contribution, which is captured in the finest detail and most beautiful sound on disc. An unregrettable purchase.

Das Rheingold:

Wotan: Theo Adam
Donner: Karl-Heinz Stryczek
Froh: Eberhard Buchner
Loge: Peter Schreier
Alberich: Siegumnd Nimsgern
Mime: Christian Vogel
Fasolt: Roland Bracht
Fafner: Matti Salminen
Fricka: Yvonne Minton
Freia: Marita Napier
Erda: Ortrun Wenkel

Woglinde: Lucia Popp
Wellgunde: Uta Priew
Flosshilde: Hanna Schwarz

Die Walkure:

Siegmund: Siegfried Jerusalem
Hunding: Kurt Moll
Wotan: Theo Adam
Sieglinde: Jessye Norman
Brunnhilde: Jeannine Altmeyer
Fricka: Yvonne Minton
(Valkyries:)
Gerhilde: Eva-Maria Bundschuh
Ortlinde: Cheryl Studer
Waltraute: Ortrun Wenkel
Schwertleite: Anne Gjevang
Helmwiege: Ruth Falcon
Siegrune: Christel Borchers
Grimgarde: Kathleen Kuhlmann
Rossweisse: Uta Priew

Siegfried:

Siegfried: Rene Kollo
Mime: Peter Schreier
Der Wanderer: Theo Adam
Alberich: Siegmund Nimsgern
Fafner: Matti Salminen
Erda: Ortrun Wenkel
Brunnhilde: Jeannine Altmeyer
Voice of a Forest Bird: Norma Sharp

Gotterdammerung:

Siegfried: Rene Kollo
Gunther: Hans Gunter Nocker
Alberich: Siegmund Nimsgern
Hagen: Matti Salminen
Brunnhilde: Jeannine Altmeyer
Gutrune: Norma Sharp
Waltraute: Ortrun Wenkel
First Norn: Anne Gjevang
Second Norn: Daphne Evangelatos
Third Norn: Ruth Falcon
Woglinde: Lucia Popp
Wellgunde: Uta Priew
Flosshilde: Hanna Schwarz

Schoenberg - Gurre-Leider ~ 4 Songs, Op. 22 / Napier, Minton, Nimsgern, J. Thomas, BBC SO, Boulez

Average customer rating:

a performance with some major problems
A GREAT GURRELIEDER; AN EXQUISITE FOUR SONGS...

Schoenberg - Gurre-Leider ~ 4 Songs, Op. 22 / Napier, Minton, Nimsgern, J. Thomas, BBC SO, Boulez
Arnold Schoenberg , BBC Symphony Orchestra , Pierre Boulez , Marita Napier , Siegmund Nimsgern , Jess Thomas , Yvonne Minton , BBC Singers , Gentlemen of the London Philharmonic Choir , and BBC Choral Society
Manufacturer: Sony
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Binding: Audio CD

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Schönberg: Das Chorwerk
Arnold Schoenberg: Moses Und Aron/Chamber Symphony No. 2, Op. 38

ASIN: B000002816
Release Date: 1993-07-13

Tracks:

Gurre-Lieder: Part I: Orchestral Prelude
Gurre-Lieder: Part I: 'Nun dampft die Dammrung jeden Ton'
Gurre-Lieder: Part I: 'O, wenn des Mondes Strahlen leise gleiten'
Gurre-Lieder: Part I: Ross! Mein Ross! Was schleichst du so trag!'
Gurre-Lieder: Part I: 'Sterne jubeln, das Meer, es leuchtet'
Gurre-Lieder: Part I: 'So tanzen die Engel vor Gottes Thron nicht'
Gurre-Lieder: Part I: 'Nun sag' ich dir zum ersten Mal'
Gurre-Lieder: Part I: 'Es ist Mitternachtszeit'
Gurre-Lieder: Part I: 'Du sendest mir einen Liebesblick'
Gurre-Lieder: Part I: 'Du wunderliche Tove!'
Gurre-Lieder: Part I: 'Tauben von Gurre! Sorge qualt mich'

Tracks:

Gurre-Lieder: Part Three: 'Herrgott, weisst du, was du tatest'
Gurre-Lieder: Part III: The Wild Hunt: 'Erwacht, Konig Waldemars Mannen wert!'
Gurre-Lieder: Part III: The Wild Hunt: 'Deckel des Sarges klappert und klappt'
Gurre-Lieder: Part III: The Wild Hunt: Waldemars Mannen: 'Gegrusst, o Konig, an Gurresees Strant!'
Gurre-Lieder: Part III: The Wild Hunt: 'Mit Toves Stimme flustert der Wald'
Gurre-Lieder: Part III: The Wild Hunt: 'Ein seltsamer Vogetr ist so'n Aal'
Gurre-Lieder: Part III: The Wild Hunt: 'Du strenger Richter droben'
Gurre-Lieder: Part III: The Wild Hunt: Waldemars Mannen: 'Der Hahn erhebt den Kopf zur Kraht'
Gurre-Lieder: Part III: The Wild Hunt Of The Summer Wind: Orchester-Vorspiel - Sprecher (Melodram): 'Herr Gansefuss, Frau Gansekraut' - Gemischter Chor: 'Seht die Sonne'
4 Orchestral Songs, Op.22: I. Seraphita
4 Orchestral Songs, Op.22: II. Alle, welche dich suchen
4 Orchestral Songs, Op.22: III. Mach mich zum Wachter deiner Weiten
4 Orchestral Songs, Op.22: IV. Vorgefuhl

Customer Reviews:

a performance with some major problems.......2006-06-19

As a general rule I'm a big fan of Boulez's recordings of modern works, but I have one major problem with this work. When a conductor has a work with a very large orchestra the conductor has to be particularly careful about making sure that the sounds stay distinct; otherwise the individual instruments are going to get lost in the large sound of the orchestra as a whole. The sound here sounds great at the softer moments of the work, but there are critical moments that are botched. For example, the sounds in the hunting song for male choruses are very uneven. And the finale for dawn is a total mess; the sounds disappear into one, loud blaring noise. I've heard recordings that have handled these forces much better.

A GREAT GURRELIEDER; AN EXQUISITE FOUR SONGS..........2006-01-09

Boulez is the world's greatest living conductor. He is an expert in Bruckner, Mahler, and Schoenberg. This realization of the Gurrelieder is about the best one currently available on CD. The Gurrelieder, by the way, is an huge song-cycle for full orchestra, vocal soloists, and chorus. Mostly completed by c.1900, the Gurrelieder is one of the great works of Schoenberg's First Period (c.1897-1907). When it finally premiered in Vienna in 1913, Schoenberg was hailed by the Viennese audience; this is funny in a bitterly ironic way, because by 1913 Schoenberg was already far past his First Period and well into his pantonal Expressionistic Second Period (c.1908-23). Moreover, Schoenberg was never "popular"--especially in the virulently anti-semitic fin-de-siecle Vienna.

The Gurrelieder is much in the vein of Richard Strauss and Mahler: huge, huge orchestral forces--sometimes used with chamber effects--in the latest, ripest, lushist late-Romantic manner. This thing is so ripe that the meat is about to fall off the bone. But actually, the piece is a lot of fun: it's kind of like a twisted modernisitc Trisitan und Isolde: it's a hoot.

But the real star here is the Op. 22 Orchestral Songs from the end of Schoenberg's Second Period. Each song lasts not more than 5 mins., so the whole piece is only about 18 mins. duration. Yet what a time! The songs are in the vein of Mahler's Kindertotenlieder: that is to say, scored for a super-large orchestra, but the timbral palette utilizes only small forces within the orchestra at the same time so that an incredible chamber music is made. The Op. 22 Songs are virutally unavailable elsewhere, so this is the recording to get.

Average customer rating:

Correction
Fritz Wunderlich can do no wrong....
The Wonder of Wunderlich
I wish I could give this release more than 5 stars: it's terrific!!!

The Art of Fritz Wunderlich

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
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The Magic of Wunderlich [Includes Bonus DVD]
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Very Best of

ASIN: B0009PLMQW
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Duetto And Chorus: Kommt, Eilet Und Laufet
Aria: Sanfte Soll Mein Todeskummer
Recitative And Chorale: O Schmerz! Hier Zittert Das Gequalte Herz
Aria With Chorus: Ich Will Bei Meinem Jesu Wachen
Recitative: Mein Jesus Schweigt Zu Falschen Lugen Stille
Aria: Geduld!
Duet: Et Misericordia
Aria: Deposuit Potentes
Recitative: So Stehe Denn, Du Gottergeb'ne Seele
Aria: Adam Muss In Uns Verwesen
Chorus: Jauchzet, Frohlocket, Auf, Preiset Die Tage
Recitative: Es Begab Sich Aber Zu Der Zeit
Aria: Frohe Hirten, Eilt, Ach Eilet
Aria: Ich Will Nur Dir Zu Ehren Leben
Recitative: Und Liess Versammeln Alle Hohenpriester
Terzetto: Ach! Wann Wird Die Zeit Erscheinen
Recitative: Und Gott Befahl Ihnen Im Traum-Genug, Mein Schatz Geht Nicht Von Hier
Aria: Nun Mogt Ihr Stolzen Feinde Schrecken

Tracks:

Overture
Aria: Hier Soll Ich Dich Denn Sehen
Recitative And Aria: Konstanze, Dich Wiederzusehen, Dich!/O Wie Angstlich, O Wie Feurig
Aria: Wenn Der Freude Tranen Fliessen
Quartet: Ach! Belmonte! Ach, Mein Leben!
Aria: Ich Baue Ganz Auf Deine Starke
Recitative And Aria: Welch Ein Geschick!/Wie, Du Solltest Fur Mich Sterben!
Aria: Dies Bildnis Ist Bezaubernd Schon
Zum Ziele Fuhrt Dich Diese Bahn
Wie Stark Ist Nicht Dein Zauberton
Der Welcher Wandert Diese Strasse Vol Beschwerden
Tamino Mein! O Welch Ein Gluck!

Tracks:

Duet: Strahlt Auf Mich Der Blitz Des Goldes - Hermann Prey
Duet: Hier Nimm Den Ring Der Treue
Scene And Duet: Ich Denk Ihn Lieber Mir Von Meinem Stande/Liebe Ist Seligkeit, Ist Licht Und Leben
Toast: O Freunde, So Leeret In Vollen Zugen - Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Duet: Ich Sah Euch Lieblich Und Engelsschon - Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Duet: O, Lass Uns Fliehen Aus Diesen Mauern - Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Scene And Duet: er Ist's! Carlos! Mein PRinz!/Gott, Der Entflammte Der Liebe Heisse Glut - Hermann Prey
Duet: Infame Feder! Welch Scheusslicher Pinsel/Ach, Geliebte! Nie Kehrst Du mir Wieder! - Hermann Prey
Aria: Und Es Blitzten Die Sterne
Scene: Nicht An Mich, Geliebter, Denke
Duet: Du Sussester Engel, Wie Herrlich Hast Du Geteufelt!
Leukippos, Du?
Arioso: Ja, Ich Lieb Sie, Olga
Aria: Wohin Seid Ihr Entschwunden

Tracks:

Recitative And Arioso: Holdes Laubgezewig, Du Schones/Schattige Ruh, Nie Gab Natur Sie Mir
Aria: Der Gedanke An Die Flammen Der Liebe
Aria: Bleibt Ihr Treu Dem, Der Euch So Verachtet?
Aria: Finstre Furie, Ihr Geister Der Holle
Aria: Nur Einen wunsch, Nur Ein Verlangen - Hermann Prey
Recitative And Duet: O Unverhofftes Gluck/Das Hore Ich Von Dir, Von Meinem Freunde? - Hermann Prey
Ma Se Il Nostro Gioir/Alcun Non Sia
Perche A Lo Sdegno/Padre Cortese/Si Non Vedro
Aria: Erwacht In Meinem Herzen
Duet: Nur Weinen Lernte Ich/Nur Klagen lernte Ich
Aria: Keine Schlange Lasst Sich Toten
Romance: O Schweige Still, O Lasse Dich Erbitten
Trio: Doch Nun Zu Dir/Trenne Nicht Das Band Der Liebe - Hermann Prey
Aria: Man Wird Ja Einmal Nur Geboren
Song: Lebe Wohl, Mein Flandrisch Madchen - Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Recitative And Duet: Du Stehst Wirklich Vor Mir/Der tempel Brahmas Strahlt - Hermann Prey

Tracks:

I. Im Wunderschonen Monat Mai
II. Aus Meinen Tranen Spriessen
III. Die Rose, Die Lilie, Die Taube, Die Sonne
IV. Wenn Ich In Deine Augen Seh
V. Ich Will Meine Seele Tauchen
VI. Im Rhein, Im Heiligen Strome
VII. Ich Grolle Nicht
VIII. Und Wussten's Die Blumen, Die Kleinen
IX. Das Ist Ein Floten Und Geigen
X. Hor Ich Das Liedchen Klingen
XI. Ein Jungling Liebt Ein Madchen
XII. Am Leuchtenden Sommermorgen
XIII. Ich Hab Im Traum Geweinet
XIV. Allnachtlich Im Traume Seh Ich Dich
XV. Aus Alten Marchen Winkt Es
XVI. Die Alten Bosen Lieder
Zartliche Liebe: 'Ich Liebe Dich' WoO 123
Adelaide Op.46
Resignation WoO 149
Der Kuss Op.128
Was Ist Silvia, Saget An
Lied Eines Schiffers An Die Dioskuren D 360
Liebhaber In Allen Gestalten D 558
Der Einsame D 800
Im Abendrot Op. Post. D 799
Leise Flehen Meine Lieder
An Die Laute D 905
Der Musensohn D 764
An Die Musik D 547

Tracks:

Granada
Mattinata
Funiculi-Funicula
O Sole Mio
Vergiss Mein Nicht
Ein Lied Geht Um Die Welt
Du Bist Die Welt Fur Mich
Ich Kusse Ihre Hand, Madame
Caro Mio Ben
Ave Maria
Plaisir D'Amour
La Danza
Serenade: Fern Im Weiten Land, Dort Unten Im Suden
Be My Love
Santa Lucia
Tiritomba
Heute Nacht Oder Nie

Tracks:

Wien, Wien, Nur Du Allein
Denk Dir, Die Welt War Ein Blumenstrauss
Ich Kenn Ein Kleines Wegerl Im Helenental
In Wien Gibt's Manch Winziges Gasserl
Draussen In Sievering
Ich Weiss Auf Der Wieden Ein Kleines Hotel
Ich Muss Wieder Einmal In Grinzing Sein
Im Prater Bluhn Wieder Die Baume
Herr Hofrat, Erinnern Sie Sich Noch?
I Hab Die Schonen Maderln Net Erfunden
Es Steht Ein Alter Nussbaum Drausst In Heiligenstadt
Wien Wird Bei Nacht Erst Schon
Wenn Es Abend Wird/Gruss Mir Mein Wien
Ob Blond, Ob Braun, Ich Liebe Alle Frau'n
Weine Nicht, Bricht Eine Schone Frau Dir Das Herz
Mein Herz Ruft Immer Nur Nach Dir, O Marita
Eine Kleine Fruhlingsweise
Schlaf Ein, Mein Blond-Engelein
Annchen Von Tarau
Still Wie Die Nacht

Customer Reviews:

Correction.......2006-12-13

Now folks, both of what the two other reviewers wrote about the tragical death of Fritz Wunderlich is wrong. Wunderlich died in hospital at September 17 1966. He had broken his skull, when he fell down the stairs in the hunting-house of a friend. Late in the evening of September 16, Wunderlich, as usual when not at home, had phoned his wife in Munich. He was very tired from strolling through the forest the whole day, making out the ideal locations for the hunt, which should start early in the next morning (Wunderlich was a passionate hunter). After he had wished his wife a good night, he went to the staircase in order to go down to his bedroom at the first floor. He still wore his heavy hunting boots - with open shoestrings! As walking downstairs, Wunderlich struggled over the open shoestrings and grabbed for the banisters, which was not more than a rope, fixed to the wall. The banisters teared out, and Wunderlich fell down the whole stairs. Fritz Wunderlich died in hospital the next day. It was only short before his 36'th birthday. An exceptional singing career had come to an untimely end. Some people believe that Wunderlich was drunken at the time of accident. If this is true can't be proven any more. But still this is not what his close friends said, regarding his accident and his death. In my opinion Wunderlich was the last of the really great tenors of the last century. All the tenors which came to fame after him (sorry folks, even such maestros as Pavarotti and Domingo) lack a certain quality in singing. It's the ease of breath flow, or singing on the breath without pushing the voice, it's the overtones, the legato, the mezza voce, the messa di voce and many more things - in short: the overall beauty of the voice through both registers. Wunderlich was the last tenor who had all this. Other examples are Caruso, McCormack, Gigli (despite the sobbing in his later recordings) and of course the wonderful Jussi Björling. But these are only some few names. If you listen for example to the cd's in the box "Famous tenors of the past" you will find that there were many very good and outstanding tenors in the first half of the 20'th century and - as we can only assume - in the time before the invention of the grammophone. Take a close look at todays famous tenors (I know, there are some quite good and promising ones) but what are they in comparison to those tenors (or better to say, to their voices and singing) I just mentioned before?

Please make your own decision.

Fritz Wunderlich can do no wrong...........2006-05-05

... okay, maybe. It's just that I've never heard a recording I didn't love. And I prefer that he sing everything in German even when that means not using original language.

This is a bit strange because I'm most often bugged by Don Carlos and Vepres in Italian (just a personal quirk). Of course, I'm also bugged by dropping the "s" in Don Carlos, which is always incorrect. The man's name IS Carlos whether in Italian or French.

I tried to write Mr. Avila a personal note, but could not, so let me say that Fritz Wunderlich did not die of cancer, but a dreadful accident in Scotland (I'll not go into the whys and wherefores, I just wanted to set PART of the record straight.)

The Wonder of Wunderlich.......2005-11-22

Deutsche Grammophone does it again! This is an extensive 3-cd compilation album featuring the artistry of the great German tenor Fritz Wunderlich in a variety of vocal repertoire - Baroque cantata/oratorio, opera and Lieder. Like the other critic pointed out, I first heard Fritz sinigng a superb Tamino in the Karl Bohm Magic Flute, although I have also heard him sing Lieder opposite the mezzo soprano Christa Ludwig and baritone Dietrich Fischer Dieskau, who were his contemporaries and colleagues. Wunderlich died tragically in 1966 of cancer. He inspired a generation of purely lyric tenors or "tenors di grazie" whose charming voice would never roughen and lack grace. His Germanic style earned him popularity in World War II Europe and he was the leading exponent of Lieder in the 50's. His tenor voice is glorious, as close to a male angel as possible. On this recording, we are treated to sumptuous arias from Bach's Christmas/Easter Oratorios, and movements from 2 cantatas. Also noteworthy are the unsurpassed performances of Mozart tenor heroes- such as Belmonte from "Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail" (Abduction from the Seraglio) and his unbeatable Tamino from Die Zauberflote The Magic Flute. He sings bel canto opera arias fo tenor, from master composers Rossinni, Bellini and Verdi. While I don't much like that he is singing Italian arias in German, one must remember that at this time, in the LP Era of World War II Germany and Austria, German-born opera singers sang Italian opera in German translation/revisions. While many German singers could indeed sing in Italian, they were mostly trained to sing it in German because of excessive national pride and because Germans viewed Italian opera as course and un-melodic. Still, there have been superb German singers who sang in Italian like Wagner diva Birgit Nilsson,baritone Dietrich Fischer Dieskau, tenor Peter Schreier, soprano Edda Moser, baritone Walter Berry, tenor Herman Pretty, all post-Wunderlich sensations. Wunderlich sings Lieder in one CD with great and unrivaled musicianship. Especially impressive are the Viennese pieces. Further to the cd's this album is equipped with photos of Wunderlich and his family and a detailed profile biography.

I wish I could give this release more than 5 stars: it's terrific!!!.......2005-10-28

I knew little about the German tenor Fritz Wunderlich (1930-1966), except reading the accolades given to his recordings and performances by reviewers in "American Record Guide" over the past 13 years. I knew Wunderlich recorded the role of Tamino in the famous DG recording of Mozart's "Die Zauberflote", with Karl Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic (Now on DG Originals CDs), but was not aware of what a wide range of repertoire he had until hearing this release.

This release has a wide variety of Wunderlich's discography, including Bach arias from his Christmas and Easter Oratorios, and movements from 2 cantatas; his Mozart roles in "Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail" (Eugen Jochum/Bavarian Radio Orchestra) and "Die Zauberflote" (Karl Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic); a variety of arias and duets by Rossini, Bellini, Verdi, Richard Strauss, mostly sung in German, and with Hermann Prey, baritone and Erika Koth, soprano in many of the duets; Baroque arias by Handel, from "Xerxes" (including the famous "Ombre mai fu" sung in German) and "Julius Caesar", selections from Monteverdi's "Orfeo" (an early track from 1955 sung in Italian); Schumann's "Dichterliebe", 4 Beethoven Lieder, including "Adelaide" and "Der Kuss"; and 9 Schubert lieder, including "An der Musik," and "Der Musensohn", all with Hubert Giesen, piano; Popular songs such as "Granada" and Viennese songs, with chamber orchestra accompaniment. There are no texts for the songs, but you may have text booklets with other CD releases, so don't really need them when you hear Wunderlich's beautiful voice.

There is a booklet with articles about Wunderlich's career, including a preface by his widow, Eva Wunderlich, photos of Wunderlich as a boy and young man, with his wife Eva in 1965, and children Constanze, Wolfgang, and Barbara. I enjoy reading and looking at the booklet, even apart from listening to the beautiful recordings.

Wunderlich was a genius, and his voice sounds great in every track, mono (some, but not a majority) and stereo (most of the tracks in the 7 discs are stereo) alike. If you love great music, and opera, but like me aren't often of a mind to sit still for 3 hours to listen to one, get this. It's a great release, and reasonably priced to boot. I'm thankful to God for great music, for the ability to hear and feel, and for Fritz Wunderlich and his service to music lovers everywhere.

Average customer rating:

A lovely voice, but does Isokoski have anything to say?

Mozart: Arias

Manufacturer: Ondine
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00061GYO4
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Tracks:

Temerari... Come Scoglio
Ei Parte... Per Pieta, Ben Mio
Bella Mia Fiamma
Ruhe Sanft, Mein Holdes Leben
Ah, Lo Previdi
E Susanna Non Vien!... Dove Sono
Ch'io Mi Scordi Di Te?

Amazon.com

Bright- and beautiful-voiced Finnish soprano Soile Isokoski has a solid technique that allows her to leap the hurdles of these Mozart arias with real ease. She fails only occasionally, when the vocal line takes her way below the staff, as near the close of the great and otherwise gloriously sung concert aria "Ch'io mi scorda di te?" (K.5 05). Fiordiligi's "Com'e scoglio" (from Cosi) also lacks a bit of dramatic irony and a low note or two, but otherwise this CD gives unalloyed pleasure. In "Dove sono" she is the Countess of one's dreams, singing with pathos, no exaggerations and a stunning legato. The difficult "Ruhe sanft" from Zaide, with its many tempo changes, is simply lovely. "Ah, lo prevedi," Mozart's earliest great concert aria, offers generous tone and temperament. Isokoski may seem a bit cool, but much of it is a dignified reserve and a refusal to stoop to vulgarity. The Tapiola Sinfonietta plays with grace and accuracy under Peter Schreier, and pianist Marita Viitasolo is impressive in K. 505. Very highly recommended. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A lovely voice, but does Isokoski have anything to say?.......2007-01-16

As a contribution to Mozart's 250th anniversary, the attractive Finnish soprano Solie Isokoski treads direclty into Schwarzkopf territory with arias the late, great singer preformed with consummate style. In terms of pure voice, Isokoski equals Schwarzkopf (in front of a microphone, at least), and her tone is never less than beautiful. YOu can hear why she leapt from obscurity at home on to the stage at the Met. But she is innocent of any sort of style; this is just singing note for note. Of Schwarzkopf's psychological insight and memorable characterization there is nil. Peter Schreier, the noted tenor, proves himself a dull, literal conductor, and the Tapiola Sinfonietta is no great shakes, either. The best I can say of this recital is that Isokoski doesn't exactly have a lot of rivals doing much better in this repertoire.

Average customer rating:

Jan Kiepura

Manufacturer: Preiser Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000023P0
Release Date: 1997-01-21

Tracks:

Rigoletto: Questa a quella (Verdi)
Rigoletto: La donna e mobile (Verdi)
Tosca: Recondita armonia (Puccini)
Tosca: Qual' occhio al mondo (Puccini) With Lotte Lehmann
Tosca: E lucevan le stelle (Puccini)
Tosca: Amaro sol per te (Puccini) With Lotte Lehmann
Turandot: O weine nicht, Liu (Puccini)
Turandot: Keiner schlafe (Puccini)
II Trovatore: Di quella pire (Verdi)
Adia: Celeste Aida (Verdi)
La Boheme: Che gelida manina (puccini)
Martha: Ach, so fromm (Flotow)
La Danza (Rossini)
Heute Nacht oder nie! (Spoliansky-Schiffer)
Oh Madonna! (Kaper-Jurmann - Rotter-Marischka)
Ninon (Kaper-Jurmann - Rotter-Marischka)
Mein Herz ruft immer nur nach dir, o Marita! (Stolz-Marischka)
Ich sing' mein Lied heut' nur fur dich (Stolz-Marischka)
Ob blond, ob braun, ich liebe alle Frau'n (Stolz-Marischka)
Schenk' mir dein Herz heute Nacht (Stolz-Marischka)
Mein Herz ist voller Sonnenschein (v. Buday-Hilm)
O sole mio (Di Capua)
Ich liebe Dich (Stolz-Marischka)
Weine nicht, bricht eine schone Frau Dir das Herz (Stolz-Marischka

Grieg: Olav Trygason; Orchestral Songs [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

Grieg: Olav Trygason; Orchestral Songs [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Bis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Scandinavian Languages | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Nielsen, Aho: Clarinet Concertos [Hybrid SACD]
Taneyev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 3
The Queen
Pan's Labyrinth (New Line Two-Disc Platinum Series)

ASIN: B000M4REYY
Release Date: 2007-01-30

Finest Selection of: Comedian Harmonists

Average customer rating:

Finest Selection of: Comedian Harmonists

Manufacturer: Fresh
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Cabaret | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Broadway & Vocalists | Imports | Stores | Music

Pop | Imports | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Broadway & Vocalists | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Definitive Collection
The Harmonists
The Comedian Harmonists
Auf Wiederseh'n
Breezin' Along with the Revelers

ASIN: B0002ONA8I
Release Date: 2004-12-20

Tracks:

Mein Kleiner Graktus
Ich Hab' Fh 'Nen Blumentopf Bestelt
Wochenend und Sonnenschein
Ungarischer Tanz Nr. 5
So Ein Kub Kommt Selten Allein
Gars de la Marine (Das Ist Die Liebe Der Matrosen)
Auf Wiedersehn, My Dear
Ohne Dich: "Sturmisches Wetter" (Stormy Weather)
Perpetuum Mobile
Ali-Baba
Jetzt Trinken Wir Noch Eins
SchLisa
Mein Herz Ruft Immer Nur Nach Dir - Oh Marita
Wie Ws Mit Lissabon
Tarantella Sincera
Hein Spielt Abends So Schuf Dem Schifferklavier
Whispering
Dorfmusik

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Collection, Wonderful Singer
A valuable survey of Jessye Norman in diverse roles

A Wagner Collection

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Norman, Jessye | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

HOMAGE: The Age of the Diva

ASIN: B000AV8ZSS
Release Date: 2005-11-08

Tracks:

Prelude To Act I: Lansam Und Schmachtend - Jessye Norman
Liebestod: How Gently And Quietly He Smiles - Jessye Norman
I. The Angel - Jessye Norman
II. Be Still! - Jessye Norman
III. In The Hothouse (Study For Tristan Und Isolde) - Jessye Norman
IV. Torment - Jessye Norman
V. Dreams - Jessye Norman

Tracks:

I Saw The Child On Its Mother's Breast - Placido Domingo
Woe Is Me! Alas! What Have I Done? Where Was I? - Placido Domingo
Cruel One! If You Feel In your Heart Only Others' Sorrows - Placido Domingo
Lonely, In Troubled Days - Placido Domingo
Ye Heavens, So Oft Filled - Placido Domingo
The Sweet Song Fades - Placido Domingo
As I Feel My Heart Go Out To You - Placido Domingo
Can You Not Smell These Sweet Fragrences? - Placido Domingo
You Have Already To Thank Me For The Highest Confidence - Placido Domingo
Are You Asleep, Guest? - Jessye Norman
Wintry Storms Have Vanished Before Maytime - Jessye Norman
You Are The Spring - Jessye Norman
O Sweetest Bliss, Most Blessed Woman! - Jessye Norman
Siegmund I Am Called And Siegmund I Am! - Jessye Norman
Do Not Plague Yourself With Worry About Me - Jessye Norman

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Collection, Wonderful Singer.......2007-06-16

I disagree with the comment that she was not physically suitable to Wagnarian roles. With Norman, it was voice first and foremost and despite her size, she was wonderful as Kundry and Sieglinde. Both roles are highly physical. She excelled beautifully at the Met as Elizabeth in TANNHAUSER which is similar to Elsa in LOHENGRIN. Deborah Voigt was as large as Norman when she had a huge triumph at the Met as Elsa in LOHENGRIN. Jane Eaglen also had a success at the Met as Isolde and was just as large as Voigt and Norman.

Norman has not appeared in opera for a number of years now so I'm convinced she's retired that part of her career. This collection proves she was one of the most important Wagnarian singers of her generation. She was in the tradition of the grand vocal gesture capped with absolutely goregous sound.

A valuable survey of Jessye Norman in diverse roles.......2006-09-29

Jessye Norman didn't have an extensive career on the stage in Wagner. She was physically unsuitable for a role like Elsa in Lohengrin, which she recorded quite successfully. Her main roles were Kundry in Parsifal and Sieglinde in Die Walkure. Here Philips has gathered excerpts from a few operas plus an early CD of the five Wessendonck Lieder and the Love-Death from Tristan under Colin Davis's direciton (she recorded the latter twice more, first with Tennstedt, then with Karajan in his last years on the podium).

For Jessye's fans, a lot of this material will overlap the complete operas: Lohengrin with Solti (Decca) and Parsifal with Levine (Philips), and the excerpts here are measger, anyway. Room was made for long stretches of sieglinde's music, derived from Levine's Ring cycle from the Met (DG). If you don't own these recordings, here is Norman as she was on stage, huge of voice, dramatically static, and always the grand diva. Wagner doesn't show her off in the best light, and yet se remains a unique artist whose like hasn't arrived on the scene yet.

Camilla Nylund Sings Sibelius, Debussy, Britten & Kuula

Average customer rating:

Mixed bag

Camilla Nylund Sings Sibelius, Debussy, Britten & Kuula

Manufacturer: Hanssler Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Varen flykatar hastigt, Op. 13,4: Fruhling schwindet eilig
Saf, saf, susa, Op. 36,4: Schifrohr
Den forsta kyssen, Op. 37,1: Der erste Kuss
Var det en drom?, Op. 37,4: Wares ein Traum
Flickan kom ifran sin alsklings mote, Op. 37, 5: Madchen kam vom Stelldichein
Norden, Op. 90,1: Der Norden
Tujotin tilehen kauam, Op. 2, 2: Lange starrte ich ins Feuer
Sinikan laulu, Op. 16A, 1: Leid der sinikka
Sinipiika, Op. 23, 1: Die Walidmaid
Purjein kuutamolla, Op. 31A, 1: Segelfahrt im Mondschein
Beau Soir: Schoner Abend
Romance
Les Cloches: Die Glocke
Paysage sentimental: Die empfindsame Landschaft
Voici que le Printemps: Heir ist der Fruhling
Let The Florid Music Praise!, Op. 11: Lasst eure Musik erbluhen
Now The Leaves Are Falling Fast: Jetzt fallen schenll die Blatter
Seascape: Seestuck
Nocturne
As It Is,Plenty: Welch ein Uberfluss

Customer Reviews:

Mixed bag.......2005-06-09

This is one of a series of recitals from Hanssler in their Vocal Series published in 1999, and which I have to confess I picked up in a bargin bin. Alan Blyth gave it a warmish review in the Sept 99 Gramophone, as warm as possible given the absence of texts and translations in a full price recital. Though I note the Ingeborg Danz Brahms CD in the same series does have texts.

Comparing the Sibelius settings with Soderstrom, Otter and Karneus I found that Camilla Nylund didn't particularly have much to say that these Swedish singers didn't - perhaps since all the Sibelius settings on this CD are of Swedish poets. I can't compare Nylund with fellow Finns Monica Groop and Soile Isokoski. What I bought the CD for were the four settings of Sibelius' contemporary Kuula - but again, without texts had the same vaguely lost feeling as the Gramophone reviewer. A much better buy would be the recital "From the Heart of Finland" by Mattila reviewed March 97 Gramophone 3/1997, Ondine ODE892-2, which includes some different Kuula songs, or Camilla Nylund's Kilpinen CD on CPO, both of these with texts and translations for those of us who don't speak Finnish.

I don't have any particular comment on the Debussy or Britten settings.

Music Review:

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