Seemann [CD-single] [Import]

Seemann [CD-single] [Import]

Track Listings

1. Seemann [Radio Edit]

2. Seemann [Album Version]

3. Heat

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
2003 single for the Finnish heavy metal act features Nina Hagen. Tracks, 'Seemann' (Radio Edit, Album Version) & 'Heat'. Polygram.

Tracks:

Ouvertd Moritat Von Mackie Messer
Seererjenny
Kanonensong [Cannon Song]
Liebeslied
Barbara Song
Erstes Dreigroschen-Finale
Abschied
Zuherbassatle
Ballade Von Angenehmen Leben
Eifersuchtsduett - Lotte Lenya, Theo Mackeben & his Jazz Orchestra
Zweites Dreigroschen-Finale - Lotte Lenya, Theo Mackeben & his Jazz Orchestra
Lied Von Der Unzullichkeit des Menschlichen Strebens
Moritat und Schlusschoral - Marlene Dietrich
Wie Man Sich Bettet - Curt Bois
Alabama Song - Marlene Dietrich
Nachtgespenst
Peter - Lotte Lenya, Theo Mackeben & his Jazz Orchestra
Guck Doch Nicht Immer Nach Dem Tangogeiger Hin
Jonny
Vom Seemann Kuttel Daddeldu
Chant des Canons
Chant d'Amour
Tangoballade
Ballade de la Vie Agrle
Die Seererjenny
Barbara Song
Die Moritat Von Mackie-Messer
Lied Von Der Unzullichkeit des Menschlichen Strebens
Alabama Song [Alternate Take]

Amazon.com

Performed in 1930 by the cast and orchestra of the 1928 Berlin premiere (except for Willi Trenk-Trebitsch, the Mackie of the 1929 Prague premiere), this extraordinary recording must be the last word in genuine, unvarnished "authenticity." Even the remastered sound is amazingly good and life-like. The half-spoken, half-sung delivery captures the biting sarcasm of Brecht's text as well as the abrasive bitterness and sinuous lyricism of Weill's melodies, underlined by the punchy, swinging rhythms and indigenously jazzy sound of the orchestra. The result is an uncanny evocation of a historical period and its atmosphere. One can smell the smoky nightclub air, see the garish colors, and feel the unbridled sensuousness. This "abridged" version offers 13 familiar numbers, with most strophic repeats omitted, but includes alternate versions of several songs--four in French, two sung by Brecht himself. There are also two songs from Mahagonny, a long "scene" by Wilhelm Grosz, and two songs each by Rudolf Nelson and Friedrich Hollaender (who wrote the music for the film "The Blue Angel), two of them sung by Marlene Dietrich with her inimitable lascivious sensuality. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful original recording, plenty extras. .......2006-09-11

In quick summary:
- If you're at all familiar with the Dreigroschenoper and all its incarnations, be sure to buy this album. It's the closest you could get to an 'original'.
- If you're completely new to the Threepenny story, I would recommend starting with the 1999 Nina Hagen concert version instead. It's got all the songs left out here, better recording quality, and a more modern approach to the music.

This is not a complete collection of original cast Dreigroschen songs. Rather, it's a selection of the best tracks from the play, often censored and cut short (in all the usual ways), and filled up with seemingly random extras in the genre.

The performers are all quite brilliant, and it's refreshing to hear a 3P without all the screaming and biting from recent versions. Though the songs are by no means slow, they're much more relaxed, more saccharine I would say, than what they've later evolved into. I love both type interpretations, but I often prefer this one.

One very nice bonus is the inclusion of a handful Threepenny songs in French. Otherwise pretty hard to come by. Also, the famous final lines of the movie version (Moritat reprise) are present, which I've only seen in one other recording (the 1981, also led by Miss Lotte Lenya). All in all, an essential CD for Brecht/Weill fans.

This one is really fine. .......2006-03-03

I've been a three-penny freak ever since I was a hanger-on at a Stanford production 40 years ago directed by a Brecht associate from Berlin. It's wonderful to get the authentic original cast records. I really like the added Berlin Chansons, too. "Don't Goggle at that Tango Dancer, Keep Your Eyes on the Guy You Came with!" Or Marlene Dietrich, with "Jonny, When it's Your Birthday, I'll Be Your Guest for a Night."

Milhaud: Boeuf sur le toit Op58; Carnaval d'Aix, suite for piano Op83

Average customer rating:

Totally idiomatic, delightful music-making
Milhaud, The 6 Little Symphonies

Milhaud: Boeuf sur le toit Op58; Carnaval d'Aix, suite for piano Op83

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Milhaud: Scaramouche; Le Bal Martiniquais; Paris
Amy Beach: "Gaelic" Symphony; Piano Concerto
Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras (Complete)
Peter Lieberson: Neruda Songs

ASIN: B000001K4D
Release Date: 1994-08-22

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1 'Le Printemps', Op. 43: Allant: Chantant: Et Vif!
Symphony No. 2 'Pastorale', Op. 49: Joyeux: Calme: Joyeux
Symphony No. 3 'Serenade', Op. 71: Vivement: Calme: Rondement
Symphony No. 4 For Ten String Instruments, Op. 74: Ouverture (Anime): Choral (Assez Lent); Etude
Symphony No. 5 For Ten Wind Instruments, Op. 75: Rude; Lent; Violent
6 For Soprano, Contralto, Tenor, Bass, Oboe & Cello, Op. 79: Calme Et Doux; Souple Et Vif; Lent Tres Expressif
L'homme Et Son Desir For Soprano, Contralto, Tenor, Bass, And Orchestra, Op.48
Concerto No. 2 For Piano & Orchestra, Op. 228: Anime; Romance; Bien Moderement Anime
Suite Cisalpine Sur Des Airs Populaires Piemnotais For Cello & Orchestra, Op.332

Tracks:

Le Boeu Sur Le Toit, Op.58
Concerto For Percussion And Small Orchestra, Op.109: Modere
Concerto No. 1 For Viola And Orchestra Of Soloists, Op.108: Anime; Lent; Souple Et Anime
La Muse Menagere, Op.245: La Mienne; Le Reveil; Les Soins Du Menage; La Poesie; La Cuisine; Les Fleurs Dans La Maison...
Le Carnaval D'Aix For Piano And Orchestra, Op.83b: Le Corso; Tartaaglia; Isabelle' Resetta; Le Bon Et Le Mauvais Tuteur...

Customer Reviews:

Totally idiomatic, delightful music-making.......2004-09-15

Milhaud's works do not generally need smooth, sleek lines and perfection of tone. This is bubbly, joyous music that must have the spirit before everything. And this set provides that in great quantity. Just listen to 'Le Boeuf sur le Toit': the Orchestra of Radio Luxembourg are not the finest band in the world, the ensemble isn't everything it should be, but they are utterly inside this music. And it works perfectly- it completely evokes the atmosphere of the slightly seedy Brazilian boite du nuit. And I challenge anyone to listen to the whole piece without raising a smile. Add the pieces which are under the baton of Milhaud himself, and you have a set that's well-nigh indispensible for lovers of 20th century French music.

Milhaud, The 6 Little Symphonies.......1999-11-24

Thoroughly delightful recording. Everything on it is enjoyable, lovely music.

Average customer rating:

This one deserves 8 - 10 *s
Connoisseur of SongBirds

Seemann Deine Heimat I
Lolita
Manufacturer: Bear Family
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Weißer Holunder
30 Jahre Heino: Die Stimme der Heimat
Das Beste Von Freddy Quinn
Heino's Hit Mix
Die Ganz Grossen Hits, Vol. 2

ASIN: B000024WKR
Release Date: 1997-12-01

Tracks:

Treu Will Ich Dir Bleiben
Stern Der Tropennacht
So Wird Es Immer Sein
Traume Mit Mir
Bleib Bei Mir
Luna
Seemann
Wenn Der Sommer Kommt
Die Sterne Der Prarie
Mein Schiff Heisst 'Heimweh'
Souvenir D'amour
Die Weite Welt In Weiter Ferne
Matrosen Aus Piraus
Milord
Uber Alle Sieben Meere
Rosen Werden Bluh'n
Ein Strauss Vergissmeinnicht
Sehnsucht Nach Samoa
Und Ein Lied Klingt Durch Das Tal
Fur Ein Paartage
Godoli Gondola
Addio, My Darling, Bye Bye
For The First Time
Seemann
Traummusik
Traume Von Der Heimat
Der Jodelnde Postillion
Lucki- Lucki-Polka
Wenn Wir Uns Einmal Wiedersehen

Customer Reviews:

This one deserves 8 - 10 *s.......2006-11-06

Lolita is the best of the songbirds. Sooo....ooo many - all in fact of the songs on this album are magnificantly sung by her. Lolita's singing will go down as being 'unchallenged by anyone in quality, talent & ability. Her singing certainly seems to expresse love & caring, an extreamly hard to find attribute with other musicians to this degree.
Her singing certainly makes visualizing the "settings" of her songs vivid, it is easy for me, for example, to visualize an alpine village in the Alps in a festive atmosphere in one of her songs 'Holliday in Austria'. If anyone reading this, take heed & by all means listen to her songs - any chance you have, you will be captivated...

Connoisseur of SongBirds.......2005-10-14

Outstanding vocals (her voice and presentation is uniquely great) and a quality orchestra. There is only one USA "songbird" of her genre, (rather was) Patsy Cline. The choice of material is quite good, but not as magnificent, as that of the other CD by Lolita, "Weisser Holunder"; one, that should get Eight Stars on the 1-5 Star scale. Recommend buying that one too.

Mozart: Complete Solo Piano Recordings [United Kingdom]

Average customer rating:

Mozart Defined

Mozart: Complete Solo Piano Recordings [United Kingdom]
Carl Seemann
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Rare Recordings 1963 -1974
Pierre Fournier: Aristocrat of the Cello [United Kingdom]
Mozart: Symphonies
Complete Decca Recordings 1951-1960
The BBC Recitals: Schubert, Schumann, Brahms [DVD Video]

ASIN: B000BV5REC
Release Date: 2005-12-08

Tracks:

Piano Sonata No.1 In C, K.279
Piano Sonata No.2 In F, K.280
Piano Sonata No.3 In B Flat, K.281
Piano Sonata No.4 In E Flat, K.282
Piano Sonata No.5 In G, K.283
Piano Sonata No.6 In D, K.284 "Dnitz"
Piano Sonata No.7 In C, K.309
Piano Sonata No.8 In A Minor, K.310
Piano Sonata No.9 In D, K.311
Piano Sonata No.10 In C Major, K.330
Piano Sonata No.11 In A, K.331 -"Alla Turca"
Piano Sonata No.12 In F, K.332
Piano Sonata No.13 In B Flat, K.333
Fantasia In C Minor, K.475
Piano Sonata No.14 In C Minor, K.457
Piano Sonata No.15 In C, K.545 "Facile"
Piano Sonata No.16 In B Flat, K.570
Piano Sonata No.18 In D, K.576
Piano Sonata "No.18" In F, K.533/K.494
Piano Sonata In F, K. Anh. 135/K. 54
Minuet In G, K.1e
Nine Variations In C, K.264 On "Lison Dormait" By N. Deze
12 Variations In C, K.265 On "Ah, Vous Dirai-Je Maman"
Allegro In G Minor, K.312
Minuet In D, K.355
Fantasie In C Minor, K. 396
Nine Variations In C, K.264 On "Lison Dormait" By N. Deze
Fantasia In D Minor, K.397
10 Variations In G, K.455 On "Unser Dummer Pel Meint" By C.W. Gluck
Rondo In D Major, K.485
Rondo In A Minor, K.511
Adagio In B Minor, K.540
Nine Variations In D, K.573 On A Minuet By J.P. Duport
Kleine Gigue In G, K.574
Variations On An Own Theme, K. Anh. 137

Album Details

Seemann was Dg's House-pianist in the 1950s and was Particularly Renowned for his Mozart Interpretations. He Brought a Style, Typical of the Time, of a Faithful, Objective Approach to Mozart, which Remains Highly Attractive Today.

Customer Reviews:

Mozart Defined.......2006-08-21

Few composers have suffered like Mozart when it comes to the bad habits of tradition. In an era where Uchida's pathological renditions have become standard and even Alfred Brendel plays Mozart solo works in barely recognizable form, it has not hard to imagine that good old Wolfgang would rather let the 250 pass unnoticed.

Yet, here we finally have the blast from the past that makes any further recording of Mozart's solo works redundant. While I was familiar with some of these recordings since the mid sixties, (re)acquaintance with this whole set has been truly revelatory.

During his teaching the late Rudolf Serkin often asked his students "how long has it been since you last saw the score"?
Listening to these unsurpassed recordings, that same questions can be asked to many luminaries of the 88. Listening to Seemann's crisp, clean, precise and highly musical renditions was like a complete reintroduction to the classical style. Gone are all the all too common rubato's, sforzatos the messing around with the tempo upon introduction of new themes or through modulation passages. Mozart, just Mozart.

While the recordings were produced over half a decade the level is uniformly high. Although it is hard to choose a favorite, I am most impressed by Seemann's rendition of the a minor Rondo, which is on almost every pianist repertoire. While some may initially object to "Seemann doing too little", repeated listening proves the absolute opposite and removes all the romantic grime that generations of pianists have deposited on this masterpiece. In Seemann's hands the Rondo is both improvisatory and tight. In the absence of romantic manierism the strength of Mozart's harmonic mastery shines.

The recordings are historic and mostly mono. Yet, the quality is more than acceptable. While this set is not as complete as the one by Walter Gieseking, Seemann's more humane and humorous approach is clearly the set of choice.

Truely Historic! In the same category as Kripps' Symphonies and Anda's Concertos.

Average customer rating:

THE BEST SET OF BEETHOVEN'S VIOLIN SONATAS EASILY AVAILABLE.

Beethoven: Complete Violin Sonatas

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Mozart: The Violin Sonatas
Complete Concertos / Overtures
Complete String Quartets
Mozart: Great Violin Sonatas, Vol. 1
Haydn: The 12 "London" Symphonies

ASIN: B0009A4200
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Tracks:

I. Allegro Con Brio
II. Tema Con Variazioni. Andante Con Moto (Variations I-IV)
III. Rondo. Allegro
I. Allegro Vivace
II. Andante Piu Tosto Allegretto
III. Allegro Piacevole
I. Allegro Con Spirito
II. Adagio Con Molta Espressione
III. Rondo. Allegro Molto
I. Presto
II. Andante Scherzoso Piu Allegretto
III. Allegro Molto

Tracks:

I. Allegro
I. Adagio Molto Espressivo
III. Scherzo. Allegro Molto
IV. Rondo. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
I. Allegro
II. Adagio Molto Espressivo
III. Allegretto Con Variazioni (Variations I-VI)
I. Allegro Con Brio
II. Adagio Cantabile
III. Scherzo. Allegro-Trio
IV. Finale. Allegro-Presto

Tracks:

I. Allegro Assai
II. Tempo Di Minuetto Ma Molto Moderato E Grazioso
III. Allegro Vivace
I. Adagio Sostenuto-Presto
II. Andante Con Variazioni (I-IV)
III. Presto
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio Espressivo
III. Scherzo. Allegro-Trio-Coda
IV. Poco Allegretto-Adagio Espressivo-Tempo I

Customer Reviews:

THE BEST SET OF BEETHOVEN'S VIOLIN SONATAS EASILY AVAILABLE........2005-09-21

Wolfgang Schneiderhan had a very sweet, singing timber with his violin. He has great control, and his playing is very finely mannered.

The cycle he recorded with Kempff is excellent, but going out of print.

This cycle with Carl Seemann is very good; easily available; and well priced.

Seemann was Schneiderhan's accompanist on the Brahms violin Sonatas as well. Highly recommended.

Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera); Berlin 1930

Average customer rating:

It's Carola Neher - not Lotte Lenya
I Love Threepenny.
An Excellent Document
Bone chilling excerpts from the original 1930 Berlin cast
Disappointing - these are abbreviated versions of the songs

Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepenny Opera); Berlin 1930

Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Collector's The Threepenny Opera
Weill - The Threepenny Opera / Kollo · Adorf · Dernesch · Lemper · Milva · Reichmann · Tremper · Boysen · RIAS · Mauceri
The Threepenny Opera (1954 New York Cast) (Blitzstein Adaptation)
Threepenny Opera
Lotte Lenya sings Kurt Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins & Berlin Theatre Songs

ASIN: B000000S88
Release Date: 1991-06-25

Tracks:

Aus der Dreigroschenoper: Overture und Moritat von Mackie Messer
Aus der Dreigroschenoper: Seerauberjenny
Aus der Dreigroschenoper: Kanonensong
Aus der Dreigroschenoper: Liebeslied
Aus der Dreigroschenoper: Barbara Song
Aus der Dreigroschenoper: Erstes Dreigroschen-finale
Aus der Dreigroschenoper: Abschied
Aus der Dreigroschenoper: Zuhalterballade
Ballade vom angenehmen Leben
Eifersuchtsduett
Aus der Dreigroschenoper: Zweites Dreigroschen-Finale
Aus der Dreigroschenoper: Leiben von der Unzulanglichkeit ds menschlichen Strebens
Aus der Dreigroschenoper: Moritat und Schlusschoral
Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny: Wie man sie bettet
Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny: Alabama Song
Das Nachtgespenst
Peter
Gluck doch nicht immer dem Tangogeiger hin
Jonny
Vom Seeman Kuttel Daddeldu
L' Opera de quat' sous: Chant des Canons
L' Opera de quat' sous: Chant d'amout
L' Opera de quat' sous: Tangobaliade
L' Opera de quat' sous: Ballade de la vie agreable

Customer Reviews:

It's Carola Neher - not Lotte Lenya.......2003-07-09

Just to clear something up, from hearing the samples on this site I'm almost positive that the female voice on this CD is Carola Neher (who played Polly in the original cast), not Lotte Lenya. In my opinion Neher was a much more pleasant singer than Lenya. Sad to say, she'd end up in a Stalinist Death Camp a few years later after fleeing from the Nazis to the USSR. The digital remastering seems to be nice, again judging from the samples (my grandmother had the original record and it was very noisy and not clear at all.) This is pretty much all that is left of pre-Third Reich German recordings, of course life recording during an actual performance was totally out of the question back than.

I Love Threepenny........2002-07-10

I've loved the "Three Penny Opera" since I was associated with a production in college. This is a fine CD of the original Berlin cast.

Also, there are some French versions, some sung by Brecht, and some other Berlin songs of the day by Kurt Gerron, Marlene Dietrich, et al.

An Excellent Document.......2001-05-18

The review the complains of the abbreviated versions of the songs that are included on this CD, and that some of the songs are missing, misses the point. The Barbara song, which is mentioned by name, was set up by the Moritatssaenger in a way which makes it clear that the song was also truncated on the original 78 release from 1930...

Listen to this for what it's worth: it's great documentary, and includes two Mahoganny songs, some songs by Hollaender, etc...(also, check out the 1999 release of the Threepenny Opera on BMG, with Nina Hagen as Frau Peachum...)

Bone chilling excerpts from the original 1930 Berlin cast.......2000-06-11

This CD features Lotte Lenya with Mackeben conducting the original German cast of 1930. It has excerpts of the show only, but it's a fascinating glimpse into the original feeling of Kurt Weill's best known work. Lenya is bright and coldly perky. The sound is strctly old fashioned mono.

Disappointing - these are abbreviated versions of the songs.......1999-10-19

As far as the record goes, the performances are wonderful. But -- there are many songs missing from the Three Penny Opera, and those that are included are sometimes presented in an abbreviated form. For instance, Barbara Song only has the last verse -- missing the wonderful wordplay and contrast with the earlier two verses.

Mozart: Krönugskonzert, KV 537; Konzert für 2 Klaviere, KV 365; Rondos, KV 382 & 386

Average customer rating:

Fritz Lehmann, A Name to Know!

Mozart: Krönugskonzert, KV 537; Konzert für 2 Klaviere, KV 365; Rondos, KV 382 & 386

Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000B09YX
Release Date: 2004-02-18

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.26 In D, K.537 "Coronation"
Concerto For 2 Pianos And Orchestra (No.10) In E Flat, K.365
Concert-Rondo In D K382
Rondo For Piano And Orchestra In A, K.386

Album Details

The Originals series.

Customer Reviews:

Fritz Lehmann, A Name to Know!.......2005-12-14

Those familiar with my Amazon reviews will know that I love DG's "Musik...Sprache der Welt" series, but the one title I had initial reservations about was Schubert's Incidental Music to Rosamunde by Fritz Lehmann. I had no idea who this conductor was, but after reading Jeff Lipscomb's glowing review I decided to get the disc from BMG. It was quite good and it wet my appetite for more by Lehmann, so I purchased his "DG Originals" disc of Brahms' German Requiem in the Amazon Marketplace (there are dozens of copies for under a dollar!) and I was hooked. Next I ordered two Import titles from the "Originals" series -- Handel's Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks (see my review), and this title featuring Mozart Piano Concertos 10 & 26 and Rondos for Piano & Orchestra KV 382 & 386. Recordings of Mozart PCs are in no short supply in my collection, and soloist Carl Seemann (with second pianist Andor Foldes on K365) gives solid performances, though I must confess I prefer Anda, Casadesus and Curzon in the K537. On the other hand I don't have many accounts of the Rondos, and while it's hard to beat Serkin in the 382, I do prefer Seemann to the Brendel/Marriner Rondos. And don't be discouraged that these are 1953 & 55 mono recordings because like many DG titles from this era, the sound is so crisp and clear you'd swear it was in stereo. I guess the only real problem I have with this disc is Amazon's price tag -- I mean why does this title cost more than Lehmann's Import Handel CD? Anyway, that's easily solved -- just order it from a Marketplace vendor for a cheaper price. Overall, I was so impressed by Lehmann's accounts that I plan to make his two newest titles in the "Sprache der Welt" series my first post-holiday purchases.

Average customer rating:

The human touch
Welcome the reissue of these sublime performances
Legendary
A buried treasure.

Bach: 6 Partitas, BWV825-830

Manufacturer: Orfeo D'or
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005ALIA
Release Date: 2001-03-27

Customer Reviews:

The human touch.......2003-03-23

Like the other reviewers I must start off by thanking B. Johnson for bringing this recording to our attention.

Glenn Gould is a daunting figure to any professional or amateur pianist who endeavors bringing to life the works of Bach. I would guess the relatively few recordings of Bach played on the piano have much to do with Gould's total dominance in this domain.

Listening to Gould, one senses the divine, sometimes the demonic (eg. choices of tempo) but never the human touch. It's awe inspiring and very disheartening to piano players ( see another B. Johnson recommendation, Bernhard's "The Loser").

Carl Seeman is refreshingly human. His playing is refined and pure with much sensitivity. There are passages with a strong organ timbre, (like Gould, Seeman was an organist too). His partitas have a "correctness" about them. He is indeed the sane alternative to Gould.

Ultimately it's a question of temperament. Thrill, excitement and the conundrum posed as to "how does he do it" will most often override the alternative of sanity and refinement. Gould has left little room for others. Seeman has the honor of occupying part of that small space.

Welcome the reissue of these sublime performances.......2002-04-15

My thanks also to B. Johnson for his excellent review. He says with such clarity what I have felt about Seemann ever since I first heard his recordings back in the '60s. I thought I was the only one who felt that way, and it is gratifying to know that his genius is appreciated by others. Technique, clarity of tone, full understanding and consciousness of every note, phrase, and piece are how I would characterize his playing. And there is nothing of the eccentric or subjective about is interpretations. They come, one senses, from the music itself.

My first hearing of his playing was not Bach but a wonderful recording on American Decca of the Brahms Waltzes and a Haydn Sonata in E-flat and Variations in F Minor. The same qualities came through in these as I hear now in the Partitas (of which I had only heard the B-flat before). I have never heard anyone play those very non-simple waltzes without falling into at least a hint of frivolity. Seeman plays every one as if it were the greatest masterpiece, and yet with fluidity, clarity and a natural simplicity that only a master can elicit from them.

The Bach recording I heard from him was of six Little Preludes, the B-flat Partita, a glorious Chromatic Fantasy and a heavenly performance of the Tocatta in D. It all comes back now as I listen to all the Partitas. I hope the others will be forthcoming as well. I also am about to open the Brahms Violin Sonatas.

Legendary.......2002-01-25

Thanks to B. Johnson for his compelling review of this superb artist. Seeman's flawless technique, beautiful tone, and unerring sense of dynamics and rhythm provide a view of Bach that is as clean and unaffected as you could wish for on the piano. The pulse of the dance is there, the long lyrical line, the drama and emotional power that reveal the inexhaustable spirit of Bach shining through. Seemann fully realizes the expressive potential of the piano without romantic anachronism. I enjoy these performances more each time I hear them. Based on this album, Carl Seemann not only belongs among the great pianists of the 20th century, he is near the top.

A buried treasure........2001-12-11

Carl Seemann may be a name unfamiliar to even those devoted to studying and collecting the piano and its greatest performers. These discs, that belong on the shelves of every true Bach enthusiast and piano lover, illustrate how cruel history can be.

Growing up, Carl Seemann was a very familiar name to me. My Dad had quite a few records of his, mostly stemming from the mid to late fifties when he recorded for Deutsche Grammophon. His output was mostly devoted to solo works by the German classics and accompanying the violinist Schneiderhann in Mozart and Beethoven. In those days the two of them were considered in the same category as the Oistrach/Oborin duo. As a solo artist, especially his Mozart was remarkable. While his DG Mozart recordings must be close to 50 years old, they still represent my standard to playing Mozart on the piano. Let's hope that DG will reissue these recordings in future "Originals" releases, because I will be certain that many of the Seemann novices will amazed by his sense of style, that sounds simple but never naïve, relaxed and light but never dull or dumb.

Yet, Bach lovers rejoice, because we have something really special here. For me, this is the first true alternative to Gould on piano.

Looking at the current catalog of complete there are two clear choices for very different tastes.

First and foremost, Gould (my standard).
These are recordings from the late fifties and early sixties. The approach is hallmark Gould. There is complete understanding of the works, both in their structure, and in the sentiment (Bach used the word Affekt). Sometimes the tempi are extreme, and Gould's sense of articulation aimed at structural clarity has been described as "interventionalist " by Alfred Brendel. Yet, the result is hauntingly beautiful, and throughout the 6 works Bach's own voice comes through loud and clear.

Secondly, there is Schiff.
The recordings are more recent and of a higher quality. Schiff's great strength is in the plasticity of his rhythms and in the differentiation between the various dance formats. His approach is definitely more in the piano lingo, and staccatoes/portatoes are absent, while the tempi are more in line with what is considered to be historically accurate. My personal objection -and I admit, that it is entirely personal- is that Schiff sounds so bland and insignificant upon repeated listening. I simply have "Gestalt" problems with the character of the composer that emerges from Schiff's Bach interpretations. For me Bach definitely has an edgy site to his personality "the family room tyrant", that never emerges from Schiff's fingers.

Now we get Seemann.
In many respect this pianist represents a mix of Gould and Schiff, with a personality entirely it's own. Seemann chooses his tempos wisely, he never inclines to Gould's self-proclaimed "speed-demonship". His playing is devoid of right pedal use, is very clear and demonstrates a superb sense of counterpoint. Like Schiff, his approach to rhythm is very smooth with a masterly sense of (minimal) rubato; all his dances are beautifully diverse, and tempi are chosen to reflect diversity within the framework of each individual Partita.
However, to my ears, Seemann never ever sounds trivial. He is devoted to precisely performing every note that Bach wrote, and applies his tremendous skills in bringing Bach's "architecture of the emotion" to live, without short-changing it by any attempt at false ingratiation. He has a complete understanding of the music and the man behind it. His personal approach is gentle, but of German discipline and restraint, without ever becoming overbearingly "Teutonic". These recordings are so good, that pulling out any specific details shortchanges other equally impressive features. If I would choose one point of special merit, it is Seemann's performance of the Sarabandes. They are devoid of any tendency towards the romantic, strict in the gentlest of ways, lyrical and sentimental in the best sense of word.

The recordings stem from the mid-sixties. They are clearly not in the same league as the best that current technology has to offer, but sound decently and are low in noise.

I have studied all the Partitas myself and play movements of some of them daily. I think, Seemann has left us an interpretation that is true to both their notes and their spirit. This is a Bach performance that deserves a place among the truly great like Richter, Walcha, Milstein and Fournier. But don't take my word for it, buy these discs and let Seemann speak for Bach and himself.

Seemann
Average customer rating:

Nina Hagen... makes it hers

Beautiful

Highly disappointed

Beautiful darkness

Seemann
Apocalyptica , and Nina Hagen
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000DBDJM
Release Date: 2003-12-30

Tracks:

Seemann (Radio Edit)
Seemann (Album Version)
Heat

Album Description

2003 single for the Finnish heavy metal act features Nina Hagen. Tracks, 'Seemann' (Radio Edit, Album Version) & 'Heat'. Polygram.

Customer Reviews:

Nina Hagen... makes it hers.......2007-02-02

I hadn't seen this or heard this until I found it on YouTube. It is brilliant. Nina Hagen is a sadly overlooked amazingly beautiful singer (strange to me Tom Waits is always lauded but Nina is despised for her original and compelling voice)... like Diamanda Galas, Nina is definitely for those of us who want MORE. Not Celine Dion. "Seeman" by Rammstein is a gorgeous song, and Apocalyptica and Nina Hagen do it justice and then some. This is so fantastic. I am sad the cd is so expensive (and it's NOT on iTunes, I checked). Worth the money? For me it is.

Beautiful.......2003-11-27

when i first saw the video to this song i thought it would be some kind of boring song but really IT AINT! THIS SONG IS SO GOOD AND NINA HAGEN JUST SINGS THE SONG SO DAMN WELL...i live in the united states but i saw the video via satellite cuz us americans dont get better music here...none the less, i luv this song ...grim looking video which makes me love the song more

Highly disappointed.......2003-11-20

When I first heard that Apocalyptica was recording "Seemann" I was incredibly excited about it. Now that I was able to hear it for the first time I was sadly disappointed. Apocalyptica does incredibly good, but the voice. Nina Hagen made me cry with her attempt to sing one of my favorite Rammstein songs. As a big fan of Rammstein i must admit that the work done by Apocalyptica is simply amazing. Why couldn't Nina Hagen just shut the hell up!!!???

Beautiful darkness.......2003-10-07

Nina Hagen has the voice, apocalyptica commands the music and your ears has no reason to wait!
This Rammstein cover of is a heavy pretty dream!
Enjoy.