I think this was one of Schwarkopf's later recordings and benefits from a lifetime's experience of the cycle. Whether folks appreciate her voice or not , she is never a 'faceless' singer and her singing is always committed. It reflects her personality responding to the words and music. If only there was a video of this cycle where we could enjoy her physical presence which would add so much.
It is characteristic of present day state of classical music on public radio and in the media that a BBC Building A Library episode completely overlooked this stunning nuanced performance by one of the great sopranos of the last century. A great voice who could have made much of these songs was Grace Bumbry but I have failed to find despite a lifetime of searching any trace of a recording by the "black Venus" of Bayreuth. I managed to acquire the Yoshio Otakazi mastered Japanese CDs which sound slightly better than the original EMI release. This and Schwarzkopf's Strauss Four Last Songs with George Szell are Desert Island Discs. Refined, classy, technique at the service of musical intelligence, dripping with passion and personality.... qualities seldom found in today's concert halls.
Lots of excellent recordings of this cycle on youtube. Some very impressive. But here's the difference in this recording and ALL the rest: Others sing the song, Schwarzkopf lives the song. Still, after all these years, STILL Incomparable! IMPECCABLE!
I. Seit ich ihn gesehen 0:00 II. Er, der Herrlichste von allen 2:05 III. Ich kann’s nicht fassen, nicht glauben 5:05 IV. Du Ring an meinem Finger 6:39 V. Helft mir, ihr Schwestern 8:38 VI. Süsser Freund, du blickest 10:35 VII. An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust 14:42 VIII. Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan 16:02
There is something scary about her vowels, she would make a magnificent Erlkonig in Schubert's song - but then someone else would have to do the other parts...
I cannot emphasize enough how horrid this is made by constant commercials! It absolutely destroy Andy continuity of mood Schwarzkopf may have establish….I can’t tell because her forward momentum is constantly shattered!
The simple answer is to buy the CD or LP. There is magnificent progression through the life cycle of the songs - a sort of romantic idealised tableau. There is Irmgard Seefried on Orfeo or Sena Jurinac for comparison as comparable sopranos.
I think this was one of Schwarkopf's later recordings and benefits from a lifetime's experience of the cycle. Whether folks appreciate her voice or not , she is never a 'faceless' singer and her singing is always committed. It reflects her personality responding to the words and music. If only there was a video of this cycle where we could enjoy her physical presence which would add so much.
'tis pity she was a nazi (a bona fide Party member) who lied to get into the US after the War
It is characteristic of present day state of classical music on public radio and in the media that a BBC Building A Library episode completely overlooked this stunning nuanced performance by one of the great sopranos of the last century. A great voice who could have made much of these songs was Grace Bumbry but I have failed to find despite a lifetime of searching any trace of a recording by the "black Venus" of Bayreuth. I managed to acquire the Yoshio Otakazi mastered Japanese CDs which sound slightly better than the original EMI release. This and Schwarzkopf's Strauss Four Last Songs with George Szell are Desert Island Discs. Refined, classy, technique at the service of musical intelligence, dripping with passion and personality.... qualities seldom found in today's concert halls.
Wunderbar!
Lots of excellent recordings of this cycle on youtube. Some very impressive. But here's the difference in this recording and ALL the rest: Others sing the song, Schwarzkopf lives the song.
Still, after all these years, STILL Incomparable! IMPECCABLE!
Have you listened to Sumi Hwang ?
superb
I. Seit ich ihn gesehen 0:00
II. Er, der Herrlichste von allen 2:05
III. Ich kann’s nicht fassen, nicht glauben 5:05
IV. Du Ring an meinem Finger 6:39
V. Helft mir, ihr Schwestern 8:38
VI. Süsser Freund, du blickest 10:35
VII. An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust 14:42
VIII. Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan 16:02
❤🎉
Whispering through the nose, spitting consonants with distorted and voiceless vowels in between. A document, though.
There is something scary about her vowels, she would make a magnificent Erlkonig in Schubert's song - but then someone else would have to do the other parts...
I cannot emphasize enough how horrid this is made by constant commercials! It absolutely destroy Andy continuity of mood Schwarzkopf may have establish….I can’t tell because her forward momentum is constantly shattered!
The simple answer is to buy the CD or LP. There is magnificent progression through the life cycle of the songs - a sort of romantic idealised tableau. There is Irmgard Seefried on Orfeo or Sena Jurinac for comparison as comparable sopranos.
Das ist aber nicht schön. ...schwebt sein Büüüüld mürrrrr vor.