| 1. Ich Kann Ihn Versteh'n (I Know Him So Well) {From Chess} |
| 2. Jeder Gegen Jeden: Allein (Nobody's Side) {From Chess} |
| 3. Stunde Der Clowns (Send in the Clowns) {From a Little Night Music} |
| 4. We've Got Tonight - Steve Barton, Angelika Milster |
| 5. Wie Soll Ich Ihn Nur Lieben (I Don't Know How to Love Him) {From Jesus |
| 6. Wein' Nicht Um Mich, Argentinien (Don't Cry for Me Argentina) {From Evi |
| 7. Erinnerung {From Cats} |
| 8. Tanz Im Feuer (Flashdance... What a Feeling) {From Flashdance} |
| 9. Weil's Aus Liebe War (What I Did for Love) {From a Chorus Line} |
| 10. Alles, Ich Will Alles Heut' Nacht (All of You) - Steve Barton, Angelika Milster |
| 11. Er Allein (Only He Has the Power to Move Me) {From Starlight Express} |
| 12. Ich Bin Wie Ich Bin (...und Dazu Steh Ich) (I Am What I Am) {From la Ca |
Ich Bin Wie Ich Bin,Angelika Milster,Universal/Polydor,World Music
Average customer rating:
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Bach: Matthaus-Passion (St Matthew Passion) BWV 244 /Bostridge * Selig * Rubens * Scholl * Gura * Henschel * Collegium Vocale * Herreweghe (+CD-Rom)
Collegium Vocale Gent Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00002R0ZL Release Date: 1999-11-16 |
Tracks:
- Kommt, ihr Toechter, helft mir klagen
- Da Jesus diese Rede vollendet hatte
- Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen
- Da versammleten sich die Hohenpriester / Ja nicht auf das fest / Da nun Jesus war zu Bethanien / Wozu dienet dieser Unrat / Da das Jesus merkete
- Du lieber Heiland du
- Buss und Reu
- Da ging hin der Zwoelfen einer
- Blute nur, du liebes Herz
- Aber am ersten Tage der suessen Brot / Wo willst du, dass wir dir bereiten / Er sprach: Gebet ihn in die Stadt / Un sie wurden sehr betrubt / Herr, bin ich's
- Ich bin's, ich sollte buessen
- Er antwortete und sprach:
- Wiewohl mein Herz in Traenen schwimmt
- Ich willdir mein Herze schenken
- Und da sie den Lobgesang gesprochen hatten
- Erkenne mich, mein Hueter
- Petrus aber antwortete
- Ich will hier bei dir stehen
- Da kam Jesus mit ihnen zu einem Hofe
- O Schmerz! hier zittert das gequaelte Herz
- Ich will bei meinem Jesu wachen
- Und ging hin ein wenig
- Der Heiland faellt vor seinem Vater nieder
- Gerne will ich mich bequemen
- Und er kam zu seinen Juengern
- Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh' allzeit
- Und er kam und fand sie aber schlafend
- So ist mein Jesus nun gefangen / Sind Blitze, sind Donner in Wolken verschwunden
- Und siehe, einer aus denen
- O Mensch, bewein' dein Suende gross
Tracks:
- Ach! nun ist mein Jesus hin
- Die aber Jesum gegriffen hatten
- Mir hat die Welt trueglich gericht't
- Und wiewold viel falsche Zeugen herzutraten
- Mein Jesus schweigt zu falschen Luegen stille
- Geduld, Geduld!
- Und der Hohepriester antwortete / Er ist des Todes schuldig / Da speieten sie aus in sein Angesicht / Weissage uns, Christe
- Wer hat dich so geschlagen
- Petrus aber sass draussen im Palast / Wahrlich, du bist auch einer von denen
- Erbarme dich
- Bin ich gleich von dir gewichen
- Das Morgens aber heilten alle Hohenpriester / Was gehet uns das an / Und er warf die Silberlinge in den Tempel
- Gebt mir meinen Jesum wieder
- Sie heilten aber einen Rat
- Befiehl du deine Wege
- Auf das Fest aber hatte der Landpfleger / Lass in kreuzigen!
- Wie wunderbarlich ist doch diese Strafe
- Der Landpfleger sagte
- Er hat uns allen wohlgetan
- Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben
- Sie schrieen aber noch mehr / Lass in kreuzigen! / Da aber Pilatus sahe / Sein Blut komme uber uns / Da gab er ihnen Barrabam los
- Erbarm es Gott
- Koennen Traenen meiner Wangen
Tracks:
- Da nahmen Kriegsknechte / Gegruesset seist du, Judenkoenig / Und speieten ihn an
- O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden
- Und da sie ihn verspottet hatten
- Ja! freilich will in uns das Fleisch und Blut
- Komm, suesses Kreuz
- Und da sie an die Staette kamen / Der du den Tempel Gottes zerbrichst / Desgleichen auch die Hohenpreister / Andern hat er geholfen / Desgleichen schmaeheten ihn
- Ach, Golgatha, unsel'ges Golgatha
- Sehet Jesus hat die hand
- Und von der sechsten Stunde / Der rufet dem Elias / Und bald lief einer unter ihnen / Halt, lass sehen / Aber Jesus schriee abermals laut
- Wenn ich einmal soll scheiden
- Und siehe da, der Vorhang im Tempel zerriss / Wahrlich, dieser ist Gottes Sohn gewesen / Und es waren viel Weiber da
- Am Abend da es kuehle war
- Mache dich, mein Herze, rein
- Und Joseph nahm den Leib / Herr, wir haben gedacht / Pilatus sprach zu ihnen
- Nun ist der Herr zu Ruh gebracht
- Wir setzen uns mit Traenen nieder
Amazon.com essential recording
The St. Matthew Passion, Bach's monumental retelling of the story of the Last Supper and the arrest and execution of Jesus, typically runs from two-and-a-half to three hours. Yet this performance makes the time... well, not exactly fly past (consider the subject matter), but it's not tedious for even a second. Much of the credit for this goes to the marvelous Evangelist, Ian Bostridge. He's an outstanding narrator: the clear tone and diction, skillful timing, and intense involvement with words that made him a famous lieder singer are all in evidence; his part consists of nothing but recitative, yet he holds your interest unfailingly. Franz-Josef Selig gives a more dramatic reading of Jesus than you usually hear these days--he may be a bit too "operatic" for some listeners, but he really communicates his character's very human anguish and sorrow. Similarly, soprano Sibylla Rubens, tenor Werner Güra, and bass Dietrich Henschel sometimes unleash a bit too much vibrato for some tastes, but their singing is full-throated and attractive and they're very sensitive to the nuances in the text and music. Superstar countertenor Andreas Scholl is the standout--he combines unearthly purity with very earthly feeling and blends beautifully with the baroque instruments. The real stars of the record, however, are Philippe Herreweghe and his remarkable choir and orchestra. This conductor and his musicians (especially his radiant choir, Collegium Vocale) have always been superb at conveying warmth, devotion, and contemplation, but intense joy, anguish, or anger have sometimes seemed beyond them. Not here: they cover the full emotional range of this work--from reverent reflection to anguished remorse to churning fury--without ever crossing the line into melodrama or sacrificing clarity.On top of all this, you get a CD-ROM chock full of interesting and well-organized information (in English, German, and French): texts as well as an overview with a timeline of Bach's life, a discussion of how the work is put together, marvelous graphics, sound clips, and an extensive interview with Herreweghe himself. A superb accompaniment to a superb release. --Matthew Westphal
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful.......2007-02-03
a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-01-08
The St. Matthew Passion was composed for the Good Friday service at the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig in 1727. As time went on Bach revised and added other pieces and subsequently this Passion became the grandest and the largest of his works. He used a Double Chorus, included a third soprano group for the opening and close of Part One, two orchestras split so that they either accompanied the first or the second chorus, four soloists who carry specific parts and a number of other singers who have other roles. The Gospel of Matthew, Chapters 26 and 27 plus traditional Lutheran chorales and meditative poems (by Henrici also known as Picander) provide the text.The Evangelist narrates the action scene by scene.
Although the work as a whole is somewhat heavy and sombre there are some lighter moments to treasure, and none more delightful than the soprano aria in Part One "Ich will dir mein Herze schenken" (I will give my heart to Thee). Part two contains the best known and loved aria from the work "Erbarme dich,mein Gott" (Have mercy, my God) for alto and violin obligato and pizzicato bass. The death is terse but dramatic as is the earthquake following with the heartrending crying "Walrlich dieser ist Gottes Sohn gewesen" (Truly this was the Son of (God). It all ends with a Sarabande-like chorale bidding Jesus to rest in peace.
The packageing of this edition is outstanding; the booklet includes absolutely all the documentation that one may need to fully comprehend this monumental work of Bach's. In addition, the the 3 CD's, there is a CD-Rom that explains the entire procedure for the production of this recording (in 3 languages:French,English and German).
The performance itself is excellent and beyond reproach. Ian Bostridge is all that one would desire in a tenor Evangelist; a joy just to hear his voice. Andreas Scholl gives one of the most emotional performances I have ever heard from him; he tends to be somewhat 'laid-back' in some renditons, but not in this one. Just my opinion; all you Scholl fans, don't get excited!!!!!I suggest you allow yourself an entire day to explore this wonderful musical experience.
The True Drama of the St. Matthew Passion.......2006-04-11
Herreweghe draws sumptuous playing from his Collegium Vocale Orchestra and Chorus, keeping the period sound intact while adding the contemporary trend for finding the operatic aspects of the work in the lead of all the other recordings. Of course he has an extraordinary group of soloists who give definitive performances. The leading actor is the Evangelist who guides us through the arrest and assassination the Jesus according to the Gospel of Matthew: Ian Bostridge not only has a beautiful tenor voice, rich and warm, but he also offers perfect enunciation of the text and delivers his comments with the exact amount of propelling drama. The role of Jesus is strongly delivered by Franz-Josef Selig and matches his competition (Fischer-Dieskau, Quasthoff and Goerne included!) in conveying both the agony and the transcendence of Bach's lines.
Add to this strong matrix the exquisite singing of Andreas Scholl and the solo work by Sibylla Rubens, Werner G?ra, Dietrich Henschel, Dominik Worner, Elisabeth Hermans, Susan Hamilton and Frits Vanhulle and the beauty of the drama is perfect. This is truly the most dramatic performance of Bach's most dramatic Passion and one to cherish for years. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, April 06
My favorite too!.......2005-09-17
Excellent work - but problems with sound level.......2005-05-29
Average customer rating:
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Bryn Terfel - Opera Arias / MET, Levine
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Richard Wagner , Jacques Offenbach , Charles Gounod , Alexander Borodin , Gaetano Donizetti , Gioachino Rossini , Giuseppe Verdi , James Levine , Bryn Terfel , and The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000001GP8 Release Date: 1996-04-09 |
Tracks:
- Le nozze di Figaro: Non pirai, farfallone amoroso
- Don Giovanni: Deh, vieni alla finestra
- Don Giovanni: Madamina, il catalogo uesto
- Cosi fan tutte: Rivolgete a lui lo sguardo
- Die Zauberfl Der Vogelfer bin ich ja
- Tannher: Wie Todesahnung Drung deckt die Lande...O du mein holder Abendstern
- Der Fliegende Holler: Die Frist ist um
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Allez!...Pour te livrer combat...Seintille, diamant
- Faust: Vous qui faites l'endormie
- Prince Igor: Ni sna ni otdycha izmucennoj duse
- Don Pasquale: Bella siccome un angelo
- La Cenerentola: Miei rampolli femminini
- Macbeth: Perfidi! All'anglo contra me v'unite!
- Falstaff: Ehi! paggio!...L'Onore!
Customer Reviews:
Look out world.......2006-01-20
What fun!.......2005-11-22
I LOVE YOU, BRYN!.......2005-06-03
If you are an opera lover and (God forbid!) have not yet stumbled upon Terfel, this is an excellent introduction. And by the way, you needn't be a singer to appreciate his voice - I know very little of the technicalities of singing (about as much as a year in the church choir can give you), but I play the violin and we violinists are very keen on singers who know what they are doing. In the words of my violin teacher, Terfel is "charming!"
awesome.........2004-03-10
ps) don't listen to what the guy under my review said. i don't think this person knows how to sing.
Why do people think this guy can SING???.......2004-02-09
Average customer rating:
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100 Best Opera Classics
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0007QOERC Release Date: 2007-05-14 |
Tracks:
- Voi Che Sepate - Teresa Berganza
- Porgi Amor - Heather Harper
- Deh, Vieni Alla Finestra - Thomas Allen
- Batti, Batti, O Bel Masetto - Elizabeth Gale
- Der Holle Rache - Edda Moser
- O Isis Und Osiris - Cornelius Hauptmann
- Temerari...Come Scoglio - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
- La Calunnia E Un Venticello - Ruggero Raimondi
- Nei Giardin Del Bello - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
- Casta Diva - Maria Callas
- Se Quel Guerrier...Celeste Aida - Franco Corelli
- Tenesta La Promessa...Addio Del Passato - Beverly Sills
- Niun Mi Tema - Jon Vickers
- Un Bel Di Vedremo - Renata Scotto
- E Lucevan Le Stelle - Placido Domingo
- Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi - Mirella Freni
- In Quelle Trine Morbide - Montserrat Caballe
- Signore, Ascolta - Kiri Te Kanawa
- Recitar...Vesti La Giubba - Jose Carreras
- Amor Ti Vieta Di Non Amor - Roberto Alagna
Tracks:
- Le Veau D'Or Est Toujours Debout - Boris Christoff
- Ou Va La Jeune Hindoue? - Mady Mesple
- L'Amour, L'Amour...Ah! Leve-Toi, Soleil - Alfredo Kraus
- Allons! Le Faut...Adieu Notre Petite Table - Ileana Cotrubas
- Toute Mon Ame Est La Pourquoi Me Reveiller - Nicolai Gedda
- Quand La Flamme De L'Amour - Jose Van Dam
- L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle - Victoria De Los Angeles
- A Cette Voix...Je Crois Entendre Encore - Alain Vanzo
- Une Puce Gentille - Gabriel Bacquier
- Je Vais Mourir...Adieu, Fiere Cite - Regine Crespin
- Mon Coeur S'Ouvre A Ta Voix - Rita Gorr
- Wie Todesahnung...O Du Mein Holder Abenstern - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
- Johohoe! Traft Ihr Das Schiff Im Meere An? - Anja Silja
- In Fernem Land - Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper
- Heil Dir, Sonne! - Siegfried Jerusalem
- Mild Und Leise - Helga Dernesch
Tracks:
- Che Faro Senza Euridice? - Agnes Baltsa
- Der Vogelfanger Bin Ich Ja - Walter Berry
- Finch'Han Dal Vino - Nicolai Ghiaurov
- E Susanna Non Vien!...Dove Sono - Barbara Hendricks
- Abscheulicher! - Christa Ludwig
- Ne M'Abandonne Pas, Espoir De La Vengeance...Asile Hereditaire - Nicolai Gedda
- Largo Al Factotum - Tito Gobbi
- Ella Giammai M'Amo! - Ruggero Raimondi
- La Donna E Mobile - Alfredo Kraus
- Di Quella Pira - Franco Corelli
- Esultate! - James McCracken
- Dio! Mi Potevi Scagliar - Placido Domingo
- Vissi D'Arte, Vissi D'Amore - Maria Callas
- In Questa Reggia - Ghena Dimitrova
- Tanto Amore - Janine Micheau
- O Mio Babbino Caro - Montserrat Caballe
- Ed Anche Beppe Amo - Luciano Pavarotti
- Poveri Fiori - Maria Callas
- Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio - Roberto Alagna
Tracks:
- Les Grands Seigneurs...Ah! Je Ris De Me Voir Si Belle - Victoria De Los Angeles
- Marie, Avec L'Enfant Jesus - Jules Bastin
- Heureux Petit Berger - Janine Micheau
- Connais-Tu Le Pays - Jane Rhodes
- Elle Ne Croyait Pas Dans Sa Candeur - Nicolai Gedda
- Votre Toast, Je Peux Vous Le Rendre...Toreador - Victoria De Los Angeles
- Les Oiseaux Dans La Charmille - Mady Mesple
- Maintenant, Chantons...Devant La Maison De Celui Qui D'Adore - Gerard Souzay
- Depuis Le Jour - Beverly Sills
- Da Geht Er Hin - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
- Einsam In Truben Tagen - Regine Crespin
- Dich, Teure Halle - Hildegard Behrens
- Leb Wohl, Du Kuhnes, Herrliches Kind - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
- Hojotoho! Hojotoho! - Ute Walther
Tracks:
- Non Piu Andrai - Thomas Allen
- La Ci Darem La Mano - Graziella Sciutti
- Duo: Pa-Pa-Pa - Andreas Schmidt
- Soave Sia Il Vento - Delores Ziegler
- Mira, O Norma - Maria Callas
- Il Dolce Suono - Edita Gruberova
- Com'e Gentil - Alfredo Kraus
- Una Voce Poco Fa - Maria Callas
- Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici - Alfredo Kraus
- Gualtier Malde!...Caro Nome - Michele Pertusi
- Ritorna Vincitor - Birgit Nilsson
- Ave Maria - Katia Ricciarelli
- Nessun Dorma - Franco Corelli
- Che Gelida Manina - Nicolai Gedda
- Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana - Barbara Hendricks
Tracks:
- Mes Amis, Ecoutez L'Histoire - Nicolai Gedda
- Mieux Vaut Mourir...Amour Sacre De La Patrie - Alfredo Kraus
- Ah! Je Veux Vivre Dans Ce Reve - Mady Mesple
- Puisqu'on Ne Peut Flechir...Vainement, Ma Bien-Aimee - Henry Legay
- Suis-Je Gentille Ainsi?...Je Marche Sur Tous Les Chemins - June Anderson
- Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'Amour - Jessye Norman
- La Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee - Jose Carreras
- C'est Toi!...Au Fond Du Temple Saint - John Aler
- Werther, Werther, Qui M'Aurait Dit...Ces Lettres! - Tatiana Troyanos
- Viens, Mallika - Mady Mesple
- Ah! Je Suis Seule Enfin...Dis-Moi Que Je Suis Belle - Beverly Sills
- Alerte, Alerte!...Anges Purs, Anges Radieux - Nicolai Ghiaurov
- Boris's Farewell - Boris Christoff
- Schreckensschwur! - Gary Lakes
- Die 'Selige Morgentraum-Deutweise'...Selig, Wie Die Sonne - Peter Schreier
- Was Am Besten er Kann...Nothung! Nothung! - Siegfried Jerusalem
Customer Reviews:
Superlative collection.......2006-10-11
Great value for the money.......2006-04-23
Great for the money and a good starter on opera...........2006-01-07
Amazing Value.......2005-08-23
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La Stupenda ~ The Supreme Voice of Joan Sutherland
Gaetano Donizetti , Jules Massenet , Giuseppe Verdi , Richard Bonynge , and Joan Sutherland Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005OC0E Release Date: 2001-10-09 |
Tracks:
- Attila: Santo Di Patria... Allor Che I Forti Corrono - Joan Sutherland
- Lakme: Viens, Mallika... Dome Epais Le Jasmin - Joan Sutherland/Jane Berbie
- Les Contes D'Hoffmann: Les Oiseaux Dans La Charmille - Joan Sutherland
- Die Zauberflote: O Zittre Nicht, Mein Lieber Sohn... Zum Leiden Bin Ich Auserkoren - Joan Sutherland
- Linda Di Chamounix: Ah! Tardai Troppo... O Luce Di Quest'anima - Joan Sutherland
- Semiramide: Serbami Ognor Si Fido - Joan Sutherland/Marilyn Horne
- Beatrice Di Tenda Bellini: Eccomi Pronta... Deh, Se Un'urna - Joan Sutherland/Ambrosian Singers
- La Fille Du Regiment Donizetti: Pour Ce Contrat Fatal... Ah! Salut A La France - Joan Sutherland/Chor Of The ROHCG
- La Traviata: Un Di Felice - Joan Sutherland/Carlo Bergonzi
- The Bohemian Girl: I Dreamt I Dwelt In Marble Halls - Joan Sutherland
- Home Sweet Home - Joan Sutherland
- Casanova: Nuns' Chorus - Joan Sutherland/Ambrosian Light Opr Chor
- Lucia Di Lammermoor: (O Giusto Cielo!)... Il Dolce Suono Mi Colpi Di Sua Voce!... Ardon Gl'incensi.. - Joan Sutherland/Chor De L'Opera De Paris/Rene Duclos
Tracks:
- Norma: Sediziose Voci... Casta Diva - Joan Sutherland/Chor Of The ROHCG/Douglas Robinson
- Alcina: Tornami A Vagheggiar - Joan Sutherland
- Con For Coloratura Soprano, Op.82: Andante - Joan Sutherland
- Con For Coloratura Soprano, Op.82: Allegro - Joan Sutherland
- Lucia Di Lammermoor: Sulla Tomba... Ah! Verranno A Te Sull'aure - Joan Sutherland/Luciano Pavarotti
- Rigoletto: Gualtier Malde... Caro Nome - Joan Sutherland/Riccardo Cassinelli/Christian Du Plessis/John Gibbs/Ambrosian Opr Chor
- Esclarmonde Massenet: Esprits De L'air! Esprits De L'onde! ... Roland! Roland! Roland! - Joan Sutherland/Huguette Tourangeau/John Alldis Chor
- Operette: Where Are The Songs We Sung? - Joan Sutherland
- The Boys From Syracuse: Falling In Love With Love - Joan Sutherland/Ambrosian Light Opr Chor
- I Puritani: Son Vergin Vezzosa - Joan Sutherland/Margreta Elkins/Pierre Duval/Ezio Flagello
- Turandot: In Questa Reggia - Joan Sutherland/Luciano Pavarotti/John Alldis Choir/Wandsworth School Boys' Choir/Russell Burgess
- Tristan Und Isolde: Mild Und Leise Wie Er Lachelt - Joan Sutherland
- Adriana Lecouvreur: Poveri Fiori - Joan Sutherland
- La Sonnambula: Ah! Non Giunge Uman Pensiero - Joan Sutherland/London Opr Chor/Terry Edwards
Customer Reviews:
La Stupenda at her best.......2007-05-06
First, let's consider a sampling of the cuts on these CDs.
"O Zittre Nicht" is from Mozart's "Magic Flute" and it is a challenge to sopranos, with its series of staccato high notes. Sutherland essays this well. There are some nice trills; she hits the high notes well. The series of (treacherous) high notes toward the end is handled very nicely by Sutherland. In short, she scintillates, with a closing high note well hit.
From Donizetti's "Linda di Chamounix," she sings "O luce di questi'anima." Her voice and technique are well suited for Donizetti (and Bellini). The cantabile is smoothly sung. The cabaletta is rollicking. Her coloratura technique is on target; the ornamentation is compelling. There are trills, runs, high notes and other ornamentation well done. The close is nice (although there may be a bit of a scoop on the final high note).
From "Beatrice di Tenda" (by Bellini), we hear ""Eccomi pronta. . .Deh, se un'urna." The cantabile is sung well. She hits notes clearly. The spirited cabaletta follows. Sutherland exhibits somewhat less ornamentation than usual, but trills are well done and, overall, the piece is nicely sung. The close features clean high notes.
"Home Sweet Home." This kind of illustrates Joan Sutherland's work nicely. I can hardly make out the words (and it is sung in English). But it is an interesting version. She sings the song straight, without overpowering the song with operatic technique (an occasional trill actually works out well).
Elsewhere, I have commented on her 1959 version of the "Mad Scene" from "Lucia di Lammermoor" (from her album "The Greatest Hits").
"Falling in Love with Love" is an interesting cut. This is a classic Rodgers and Hart song. Sutherland sings it pretty well, and one can pick up the words cleanly. However, one might compare this with Anna Moffo's version, which is more musical. Sutherland's version is a bit too operatic for what the song is about.
Finally, "Ah non giunge" from Bellini's "La Sonnambula," a great coloratura tune! This is taken at a sprightly pace. Sutherland exhibits good coloratura technique. There is nice ornamentation. She precisely nails high notes. In the repeat, the florid singing ramps up. This is a compelling version, with series of staccato high notes to close the work out.
Thus, this 2 CD set is a welcome entrée to the body of work of Dame Joan Sutherland. Sometimes (as with "Home Sweet Home") one has a hard time picking out the words. But with Sutherland, the skills and techniques create a compelling oeuvre that is well worth attending to.
this is the one to buy.......2007-04-18
La Stupenda lives up to her name.......2006-11-12
La Stupenda, Amore, amore, amore.......2006-01-28
La Stupenda - well deserved title for Joan.......2006-01-12
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Artistry of Elly Ameling (Coll)
Elly Ameling Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00007KMSJ Release Date: 2003-10-14 |
Tracks:
- Matthaus-Passion
- Johannes-Passion
- Weihnachts-Oratorium
- Juditha Triumphans
- Messiah
- Crudel Tiranno Amor
- Die Schopfung
- Orlando Paladino
- 7 Lieder
- Le Nozze Di Figaro
- Exsultate, Jubilate Ch'io Mi Scordi Di Te, K505
- Misera! Dove Son! K369
- 18 Lieder
- Frauenliebe Und- Leben
- 11 Lieder
- 20 Morike-Lieder
Customer Reviews:
Elly Ameling now more available .......2007-03-07
Now I can just buy this excellent collection. So much music in one place! Since I confess that I am far from an expert on the rest of her records, I look forward to hearing her sing many other styles and composers.
I think it is silly to criticize her for not singing Wagner, for example, since her version of many songs, especially lieder, are nothing short of sublime. I would like to hear how many Wagnerians sing Schubert or Mozart.
I doubt if they could approach the skill and soul with which Elly Ameling sings lieder.
Delight in every note.......2006-03-10
So many of her recordings have still to be released on CD, but this 5CD-set goes some way towards remedying the situation. The repertoire spans a wide variety - French mèlodies, Lieder, light-hearted "sentimental" songs, Bach, etc. - and in each piece, Ms Ameling shows that quality of pearl-like beauty. It is a beauty which is also extremely pretty - a beauty of voice that is never overbearing and over-ripe, but perfectly blossoming upon the tree of inspiration.
I recommend this set unequivocally. It truly is sheer delight.
While they last..........2005-05-17
Ameling was known to schedule recitals of Schubert cycles and songs and in the afterglow of her performance answer the demand for curtain calls with additional Schubert melodies: she gifted her audience with the dignity of honoring a composer's works by maintaining the focus on that composer rather than milk the audience with the usual encore applause-getting favorites. And special moments such as quietly and pensively strolling through the orchestra during the Mahler 4th symphony to arrive at front stage, unapplauded, just in time for the opening line of her singing - those simple homage to composers and collaborators made her selfless manner endearing to audiences.
Despite the fact that Ameling's voice was on the small side she was always able to muster the projection to carry her message solidly in context with an orchestra. Yes, other more famous singers have recorded Ravel's quintessentially French SHEHERAZADE, but few have the perfection of diction and aura of mystery that Ameling maintained. Whether singing with piano or orchestra, or interpreting Bach, Mozart, Handel, and Vivaldi with the same degree of involvement as Brahms and Schumann and Schubert, Elly Ameling spanned a career that engendered passionate commitment from her fans. And this boxed set is a pocket full of memories to be treasured. Buy it before this too becomes unavailable. Grady Harp, May 05
Treasures From a Treasure.......2004-09-25
Ameling, one of the world's most beloved recitalists is captured here in a 5 CD collection offering some of her most beautiful recordings of song. While we are used to her perfection in songs of Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Faure and Hahn, an added joy is her "pop" side, tackling - without a whiff of pretension, Porter, Kern, Gershwin, Ellington, et al.
What an absolute joy it is listening to this amazing artist sing these songs with an almost uncanny natural ease. There is no resorting to a "pop" voice and yet most of these pop standards songs sound as though they could have been written for her. Clean attacks, sometimes a bit of the pop technique of hanging on to a consonant longer than a classical artist normally would shows an appreciation and understanding of the style. Still, there is never once a compromise of her vocal beauty.
I like the way the songs have been arranged for her voice in that she sort of sings them clean, unaffected in the first half and then lets loose and kinda "swings" with it adding embellishments but never really changing her voice (Price, von Stade and other favorite singers of mine seem to have always added a breathy quality to much of their crossover material.)
Ameling doesn't resort to trying to "let her hair down" or get down and dirty, but rather the honest with which she approaches every one of these songs shows how much she enjoys singing them and her style is as refreshing as stumbling onto a cool spring on a sweltering summer's afternoon. A wonderful surprise.
More than fully earned praise for an exceptional singer........2003-07-15
Yes, it is unbelievable that of about the 150 recordings Mrs. Ameling made during her long career (for the greater part of course on the 'oldfashioned' LP's, as well as the innumerable Dutch live-recorded radio-concerts), so few CD's have been released.
Speaking of tradition: it was the page-turner of the Wigmore Hall in London who told Mrs. Ameling after her first recital in this hall, that she reminded him of Elisabeth Schumann. (And he certainly didn't mean her looks only!)
For those who are eager to hear her singing Ravel's Shéhérazade (just one example of stirring imagination combined with her Art of Singing) I can tell you that Philips released a 2-box CD of this work in 1999, combined with Debussy's La Damoiselle élue and a compilation of French mélodies, i.e. Debussy, Fauré, Duparc, Satie. One of the gems is Caplet's Le Corbeau et le Renard which even make children, who know the fables of La Fontaine, revel in the singing of the quarrelsome birds....
Her brilliant accompanyist is Rudolf Jansen. Let us cherish great artists in their art!
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The Very Best of Thomas Hampson
Marc Barrard , Thomas Hampson , Csaba Airizer , Georges Bizet , Charles Wakefield Cadman , Stephen Foster , Charles Gounod , Edvard Grieg , Charles Tomlinson Griffes , Imre (Emmerich) Kalman , Erich Wolfgang Korngold , Franz Lehar , Gustav Mahler , Jules Massenet , Giacomo Meyerbeer , Gioachino Rossini , Franz Schubert , Robert Schumann , Johann II Strauss , Ambroise Thomas , Giuseppe Verdi , Richard Wagner , Carl Maria von Weber , Antonio de Almeida , Antonio Pappano , Eugene Kohn , and Fabio Luisi Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0006VYEI2 Release Date: 2005-04-26 |
Tracks:
- La Ran La Lera...Largo Al Factotum
- O Sainte Medaille...Avant De Quitter Ces Lieux
- Ce Breuvage...Vision Fugitive
- C'est Toi...Au Fond Du Temple Saint - Placido Domingo
- La Fatigue Alourdit Mes Pas...Comme Une Pale Fleur
- Ecoute!...Dieu, Tu Semas Dans Nos Ames
- C'est Mon Jour Supreme
- Tout Est Desert...Son Regard
- Ove Son Io?...Vada In Fiamme
- Perfidi! All'Anglo Contro Me...Pieta, Rispetto Amore
- Di Provenza Il Mar, Il Suol
- E Sogno? O Realta?
- Komm!
- Der Garten Des Herzens
- Lied Des Venezianischen Gondoliers
- Le Lazzarone
- L'Ultimo Ricordo
Tracks:
- Mein Sehnen, Mein Wahnen
- Wo Berg' Ich Mich?...So Weih' Ich Mich Den Rachgewalten
- Wie Todesahnung...O Du Mein Holder Abendstern
- Gruss Op.48 No.1
- Im Wunderschonen Monat Mai
- Aus Meinen Tranen Spriessen
- Die Rose, Die Lilie
- Ich Will Meine Seele Tauchen
- Ich Grolle Nicht
- Gute Nacht
- Die Post
- Blicke Mir Nicht In Die Lieder
- Ich Atmet' Einen Linden Duft
- Ich Bin Der Welt Abhanden Gekommen
- Von Der Schonheit
- O Vaterland, Du Machst Bei Tag
- Als Flotter Geist
- Komm, Zigany
- An Old Song Re-Sung
- At Dawning (I Love You) Op.29 No.1 - Armen Guzelimian
- Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
- Beautiful Dreamer
Album Description
Details TBA. EMI. 2005.Customer Reviews:
Gorgeous, Natural Sound........2007-08-04
SImply Untrue.......2006-08-16
an extra star for all the guest artists.......2006-05-08
An Homage to a Great Artist.......2005-10-30
The two disc set includes arias from operas: Rossini's 'Il barbière di Siviglia', von Weber's 'Euryanthe', Gounod's 'Faust', Massenet's 'Hérodiade', Bizet's 'Les Pêcheurs de perles' (in duet with Placido Domingo), Thomas' 'Hamlet', Verdi's 'Don Carlo', 'Il Travatore', 'Macbeth', 'La Traviata', and 'Falstaff', Korngold's 'Die Tote Stadt', and Wagner's 'Tannhäuser'.
But the rewards of a Hampson recording must include his impeccable career as a lieder stylist and on this recording are excerpts from Schumann's 'Dichterliebe', Schubert's 'Winterreise', Mahler's 'Rückert Lieder' and 'Das Lied von der Erde', as well as songs by Meyerbeer, Rossini, Grieg, Kalman, and Lehar. And very importantly there are examples of American songs that Hampson has always emphasized in his recitals. Works by Stephen Foster, and two extraordinary works with the brilliant accompanist Armen Guzelimian - 'An Old Song Re-sung' by Griffes and 'At Dawning' by Charles Wakefield Cadman - round out this fine survey.
Not usually a collector of such 'recombinations', for this listener this album is so very fine that it deserves the attention of all those who appreciate the artistry of Thomas Hampson - then and now. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, October 05
superb vocals.......2005-08-07
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Mozart: Don Giovanni, K527
Manufacturer: Gala ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000001XNW Release Date: 2000-06-06 |
Tracks:
- Ouverture
- Act One: Nr. 1 Introduzione: 'Notte e giorno faticar' (Donna Anna, Don Giovanni)
- Act One: Nr. 2: Recitativo accompagnato e Duetto: 'Ma qual mai s'offre, oh dei' (Donna Anna, Don Ottavio)
- Act One: Recitativo: 'Orsu, spicciati presto' (Don Giovanni)
- Act One: Nr. 3 Aria: 'Ah! chi mi dice mai' (Donna Elvira, Don Giovanni)
- Act One: Nr. 4 Aria: 'Madamina, il catalogo e questo'
- Act One: Nr. 5 Coro: 'Giovinette che fate all'amore'
- Act One: Recitativo: 'Manco male e partita' (Don Giovanni)
- Act One: Nr. 6 Aria: 'Ho capito, signor si!'
- Act One: Recitativo: 'Alfin siam liberati' (Don Giovanni)
- Act One: Nr. 7 Duettino: 'La ci darem la mano' (Don Giovanni)
- Act One: Nr. 8 Aria: 'Ah, fuggi il traditor' (Donna Elvira)
- Act One: Recitativo: 'Mi par ch'oggi il demonio si diverta' (Don Giovanni, Don Ottavio, Donna Anna)
- Act One: Nr. 9 Quartetto: 'Non ti fidar, o misera' (Donna Elvira, Donna Anna, Don Ottavio, Don Giovanni)
- Act One: Nr. 10 Recitativo accompagnato ed aria: 'Don ottavio, son morta!'
- Act One: 'Or sai chi l'onore' (Donna Anna)
- Act One: Nr. 10a Aria: 'Dalla sua pace' (KV 540 A - Wien 1788) (Don Ottavio)
- Act One: Recitativo: 'lo deggo ad ogni patto' (Don Giovanni)
- Act One: Nr. 11 Aria: 'Fin ch'an dal vino' (Don Giovanni)
- Act One: Recitativo: 'Masetto: senti un po!'
- Act One: Nr. 12 Aria: 'Batti, batti, o bel masetto'
Tracks:
- Act One: Recitativo: 'Guard un po' (Don Giovanni)
- Act One: Nr. 13 Finale: 'Presto presto pria ch'ei venga' (Don Giovanni)
- Act One: 'Bisogna aver coraggio' (Donna Elvira, Don Ottavio, Donna Anna, Don Giovanni)
- Act One: 'Riposate, vezzose ragazze!' (Don Giovanni, Donna Anna, Donna Elvira, Don Ottavio)
- Act Two: Nr. 14 Duetto: 'Eh via, buffone' (Don Giovanni)
- Act Two: Nr. 15 Terzetto: 'Ah! taci, ingiusto core' (Donna Elvira, Don Giovanni)
- Act Two: Nr. 16 Canzonetta: 'Deh, vieni alla finestra' (Don Giovanni)
- Act Two: Nr. 17 Aria: 'Meta di voi qua vadano' (Don Giovanni)
- Act Two: Nr. 18 Aria: 'Vedrai, carino'
- Act Two: Recitativo: 'Di molte faci il lume' (Donna Elvira)
- Act Two: Nr. 19 Aria: 'Sola, sola, in buio loco' (Donna Elvira, Don Ottavio, Donna Anna)
- Act Two: Nr. 20 Aria: 'Ah, pieta, signori miei'
- Act Two: Nr. 21a Aria: 'Il mio tesoro intanto' (Don Ottavio)
- Act Two: Nr. 21b Recitativo accompagnato ed Aria: 'In quali eccessi, o numi' 'Mi tradi quel'alma ingrata' (KV 540 C - Wien 1788) (Donna Elvira)
- Act Two: Recitativo: 'Ah, ah, ah, ah, questa e buona' (Don Giovanni)
- Act Two: Nr. 22 Duetto: 'O statua gentilissima' (Don Giovanni)
Tracks:
- Act Two: Recitativo: 'Calmatevi, idol mio' (Don Ottavio, Donna Anna)
- Act Two: Nr. 23 Rondo: 'Non mi dir, bell'idol mio' (Donna Anna)
- Act Two: Nr. 24 Finale: 'Gia la mensa e preparata' (Don Giovanni)
- Act Two: 'Don Giovanni, a cenar teco m'invitasti' (Don Giovanni)
- Act Two: 'Ah! dove e il perfido' (Donna Anna, Donna Elvira, Don Ottavio)
- Die Zauberflote: Arias And Scenes: Nr. 2 Arie: 'Der Vogelfanger bin ich ja'
- Die Zauberflote: Arias And Scenes: Nr. 3 Arie: 'Dies Bildnis ist bezauberend schon'
- Die Zauberflote: Arias And Scenes: Nr. 4 Rezitativ und Arie: 'O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn!'
- Die Zauberflote: Arias And Scenes: Nr. 7 Duett: Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fuhlen'
- Die Zauberflote: Arias And Scenes: Nr. 8 Finale: 'Erster Aufzug: Wie strark ist nicht dein Zauberton'
- Die Zauberflote: Arias And Scenes: Nr. 10 Arie mit Chor: 'O Isis und Osiris'
- Die Zauberflote: Arias And Scenes: Nr. 14 Arie: 'Der Holle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen'
- Die Zauberflote: Arias And Scenes: Nr. 15 Arie: 'In diesen heil'gen Hallen'
- Die Zauberflote: Arias And Scenes: Nr. 17 Arie: 'Ach, ich fuhl's, es ist verschwunden'
- Die Zauberflote: Arias And Scenes: Nr. 20 Arie: 'Ein Madchen oder Weibchen wunscht Papageno sich,
- Die Zauberflote: Arias And Scenes: Nr. 21c Finale: Zweiter Aufzug: 'Wir wandeln durch des Tones Macht'
Customer Reviews:
Only Furtwangler can beat Furtwangler.......2007-05-04
I agree that Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's Donna Elvira in this live recording is probably the best of her various recordings of this role, including the famous Giulini version. Just listen to her solo arias and the duets, and you will see the audience were so right in applauding as they did.
Elisabeth Gruemmer was a superb Donna Anna, not to be eclipsed by the later Giulini version by Joan Sutherland.
Cesare Siepi was only around 30 years old in this recording. He is the greatest Giovanni on record, both on stage and in recordings. I entirely agree with one earlier reviewer on Eberhard Waechter's Don G in Giulini's version: boorish. Eventhough Waechter led brilliantly in the ensembles.
My only slight reservation is for Anton Dermota's Don Ottavio here. His Dalla pace sua hardly sounded comfortable, though he sang all the notes alright.
One final point - it appears that this Furtwangler version is the Viennese version, not the Prague version.
Response to S. Bauer re: "Unclear When This Opera Was Recorded," February 2006.......2006-09-02
The credits listed on the inside back of the CD case include "Salzburg, 27.7.1953" for Don Giovanni, and "Salzburg, 1951" for Die Zauberflote.
Your recording IS the acclaimed Don Giovanni, 1953 can't-live-without version! Enjoy it more now!
Superb voices which are hard to find.......2006-08-19
Very good.......2006-04-17
I live in Ceneda of Vittorio Veneto (Italy) where Da Ponte was born.
I have other two version (Solti director and Muti director) but this is the best.
Very good the director and very good the interpreters.
I have talked with many italian teacher's classical music; they said me that this edition (Furtwaengler director in Salzburg 1953) is the best in every time.
Unclear when this opera was recorded.......2006-02-06
Thank you.
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Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set)
Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00062FLI8 Release Date: 2004-11-30 |
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Wagner: The Best of the Ring
Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000041EJ Release Date: 1996-04-09 |
Tracks:
- Das Rheingold: Prelude
- Das Rheingold - Scene One: Weia! Waga! Woge, du Welle!
- Das Rheingold - Scene One: Garstig glatter glitschriger Glimmer
- Das Rheingold - Scene One: Wallala! Lalaleia! Leialei!
- Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Bin ich nun frei?
- Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Schwules Gedunst schwebt In der Luft
- Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Zur Burg Fuhrt die Brucke
- Das Rheingold - Scene Four: Rheingold! Rheingold!
- Die Walkure - Act One: Prelude
- Die Walkure - Act One, Scene 3: Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond
- Die Walkure - Act One, Scene Three: Wehwalt heisst du furwahr? Siegmund heiss ich
- Die Walkure - Act II: Prelude to Act II
- Die Walkure - Act II, Scene Four: Siegmund! sieh auf mich!
- Die Walkure - Act II, Scene Four: Du sahest der Walkure sehrenden Blick
- Die Walkure - Act III, Scene One: Hojotoho! Heiaha!
Tracks:
- Die Walkure - Act III, Scene Three: Leb wohl, du k herrliches Kind!
- Die Walkure - Act III, Scene 3: Loge, hLausche hieher!
- Siegfried - Act I, Scene 3: Hoho! Hoho! Hohei!
- Siegfried - Act I, Scene 3: Den der Bruder schuf, den schimmernden Reif!
- Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Aber, wie sah meine Mutter wohl aus?
- Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Du holdes Vin! Dich hort' ich noch nie
- Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Es schweigt und lauscht
- Siegfried - Act II, Scene 2: Siegfrieds Horn-call
- Die Walkure - Act III, Scene 3: Ewig war ich, ewig bin ich
- Gotterdammerung - Prologue: Orchestral Interlude
- Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 2: Brde, heilige Braut
- Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 2: Orchestral Interlude: Funeral March
- Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort
- Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Mein Erbe nun nehm ich zu eigen
- Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Grane, mein Ross, sei mir gegr
- Gotterdammerung - Act III, Scene 3: Zurm Ring
Customer Reviews:
The Best Ring Intro and Highlights Recording.......2006-03-23
Gustav Neidlinger (baritone, Alberich) Theo Adam (baritone, Wotan) Wolfgang Windgassen (tenor, Loge) Annelies Burmeister (mezzo-soprano, Fricka) Hermin Esser (soprano Froh) Ruth Hesse (soprano Flosshilde) Helga Dernesch (soprano Wellgunde) Dorothea Siebert (soprano, Woglinde)
DIE WALKURE: James King (tenor, Siegmund) Leonie Rysanek (soprano, Sieglende) Theo Adam (Wotan) Birgit Nilsson (soprano, Brunhilde) Danica Mastilovic (soprano, Fricka) Sieglende Wagner (soprano, Schwertleite) Liane Synek (soprano, Helmwige) and the Valkyries Elisabeth Schartel (Grimgerde) and Anneliese Burmister (Siegrunde)
SIEGFRIED: Wolgang Windgassen (Siegfried) Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) Erwin Wohlfahrt (Mime)
GOTTERDAMMERUNG: Wolfgang Windgassen (Siegfried) Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) Josef Greindl (bass-baritone, Hagen)...* Conductor Karl Bohm, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra
If you're already an opera fan but have not yet discovered Wagner and wish to be introduced to his biggest most famous opera cycle- Der Ring Des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelungs) then this CD is one you should definately own. From live performances at Bayreuth on July of 1967, these same operas are available on seperate CD's and on a box set from the Phillips label. With a cast of brilliant, experienced Wagnerian singers such as baritone Theo Adam (Odin) soprano Birgit Nilsson (Brunhilde) and tenor Wolfgang Windgassen (Siegfried) you can't go wrong with this set. These singers represent a style of Wagnerian singing that no singer alive today can measure up to. Powerful, invective yet lyrical, passionate voices are equally in balance with dramatic acting. They lived their roles so that everytime I hear the Ring operas, I can't think of a greater Brunhilde than the unbeatable Birgit Nilsson or a greater Odin than that of Theo Adam. Maestro Karl Bohm was a prominent Wagner conductor and a Bayreuth icon in the 60's. He allowed enough natural "fresh air" for his singers, and the orchestra never truly drowns out their voices nor becomes overpowering. Nevertheless, Bohm provides the score, layered with dozens of leitmotifs, with spirituality, grandeur, nobility and the typical Wagnerian fatalism. Bohm understood Wagner more than any other conductor of his time. Although the George Solti studio Ring set is largely considered the greatest, I think this set is possibly better. There is more of a sense of tradition in this recording, since, after all, these are Bayreuth performances. The music and singingremains true to Wagner's original concept and this is not a "conductor's Ring" it is truly Wagner's Ring. The Ring of the Nibelung can become a complex, overanalyzed work of music but beneath its many layers it is an epic panorama of heroes, gods and villains. Its theme is the folly of man in his greedy lust for power, as represented by the titular ring.
Das Rheingold: The first opera deals with the greedy, deformed dwarf Alberich, who foresaking any chance of ever finding love, steals the Gold of the Rhine River from the Rhinemaidens. Baritone Gustav Neidlinger is possibly the greatest interpretor of Albrecht. This is a baritone role that is not in any way meant to be sung beautifully. Neidlinger sounds harsh and ugly, he is in full character. The music for Alberich is equally ugly and dissonant. In contrast, the Rhinemaidens are sung by beautiful, lyric sopranos who must evoke youthfulness, playfulness and a slight sexual flirtation. Their music is at first playful and flirty but after the gold is stolen, their song becomes a lament and remains melancholy in consequent motifs even up to Gotterdammerung when they reappear to reclaim their stolen gold from "the ashes of Brunhilde's Immolation". Donner, the Bridge Keeper of Valhalla, is a high bass who must step up to the exclamations of "Heda! Heda Hedo!", one of the great scenes in this opera, in which the gods enter the newly built glittering palace called Valhalla. But Odin, king of the gods, and suposed god of oaths, has broken his own oath (he promised the spring goddess Freya to the Giants who built Valhalla but didn't keep his word) And the tragedy is set in motion......
Die Walkure: In tenor and soprano James King and Leonie Rysanek, we get the most dramatic and golden Siegmund and Sieglende. More than others who have sung this romantic pair, King and Rysanek become involved, even lost in the music of their characters and are by far the most passionate interpretors. First of all, James King was endowed with a huge, heroic voice so perfect for Wagner. He is also featured in the Solti studio Ring recording but here, he is in better shape and sings with intensity, vocal heft and dramatic prowess. Also, his Siegmund is romantically sung, as if he could just as easily be a Verdi hero. His German diction never falters and he has command of the voice and melodic line. He passed away recently and left behind numerous recordings, including a Parsifal he recorded late in his career, which is still quite amazing. Leonie Rysanek actually screams out during the Love Duet in which Siegmund shows her his great sword Nothung. She was made famous not only for that hair-raising scream but for her powerful, dramatic voice and her first-rate performances as Strauss' Salome (also under Karl Bohm) Elektra and Verdi's Lady Macbeth which she first sang as a replacement to an ill and indisposed Maria Callas. Rysanek died of cancer in the mid 90's, and she was still singing then. In Die Walkure, we are first introduced to Odin's daughter, the lead Valkyrie goddess Brunhilde (she's the gal in the winged helmet, wielding a spear and flying on a horse). Birgit Nilsson owned this role, no doubt about it. Long after she had retired, she could still belt out the Hojo-to-hos (Valkyrie War Cries). She identified with Brunhilde's Nordic roots (Nilsson was born in Sweden) and she understood Wagner and dramatic German opera. All her huge successes were in German opera- Salome, Elektra most notably. She is also the Brunhilde of Solti's ring but here she is singing a hell of a lot better and she isn't overpowered by the Vienna Phil and its gargantuan musical forces. At the end of the opera, Odin punishes Brunhilde for sympathizing with the lovers Siegmund and Sieglende and saving Sieglende (pregnant with Siegfried). She is to sleep inside a ring of fire on a mountain or rock and only a great hero can awaken her and claim her as his bride. Theo Adam as Wotan is by far the best. He has a huge voice and is able to stir our emotions as he bids his daughter farewell in that great final scene.
Siegfried and Gotterdammerung: The son of Siegmund and Sieglende, he grows up not knowing his heritage as a hero. He discovers Nothung, his father's sword, kills Mime, yet another greedy, power-hungry dwarf and slays the dragon Fafner. He is now able to communicate and bond with nature as one of his special powers. He confronts Odin himself and saves Brunhilde from her nearly eternal sleep. Wolfgang Windgassen sang in the old-school Wagnerian tenor style which meant he had the "Bayreuth bark". He could throw his voice high above the big Wagnerian orchestra but it was a voice that was in no way attractive or emotional. It was cold and at times too harsh. But he is the only tenor to truly master the difficult role of Siegfried. Nowadays, some tenors can either sing the Siegfried of Siegfried or the Siegfried in Gotterdammerung, but rarely can they sing both like Windgassen. In addition, Windgassen achieved success in other Wagner heroic roles like Tristan and Tannhauser. In Gotterdammerung (Twilight of the Gods), Wagner's music has never been more fatalistic. Siegfried bids farewell to Brunhilde and sets out on an adventure down the Rhine river. He is captured by the vindictive and evil Gibechung giants, drugged and forced to wed Gutrune. And it gets worse. The Gibechungs also kidnap Brunhilde and force her to marry one of the giants. Eventually, Siegfried is slain by the cruel giant Hagen. The last minutes of singing are left to Brunhilde (it aint over till the fat lady sings). And what great singing it is. In the Immolation Scene, Brunhilde orders for a funeral pyre to be made for Siegfried. She curses the gods for breaking their oaths, declares that the end is near and summons Grane her old Valkyrie horse. Straddling him, she leaps into the funeral pyre and brings about the Ragnarok- the end of the gods. Valhalla is consumed by a firestorm, the Rhine overfloods and the world of man is destroyed. Birgit Nilsson's high, heroic voice has never sounded better in this scene.
Affordable price, great music, great singing. Please don't hesitate to get this recording if you are interested in hearing The Ring the way it should be sung and if you wish to get only chunks and pieces from an otherwise long 4 opera cycle. Enjoy!!
Incredible, even if only highlights.......2004-12-20
This is a masterful choosing of highlights and they work to present the work as a whole in a wonderful way. When one then buys the entire ring, there are going to be many wonderful parts now fully appreciated and loved that will come up and the work will not seen as long.
For those of us who love Wagner, well, there are days we don't wish to get out all the CD's of each opera to listen to the few scenes we want to hear, and this highlight set is great to hear those moments that one would find exciting to hear when not in the mood to listen to the whole. The only scene I would have added, because it is exciting and good to listen to, is the oath scene (trio between Gunther, Hoggan, and Brunhilde) that ends Act 2 of Gotterdammerung. It is quite exciting and makes a wonderful contrast to the orchestra of the Rhine Journey that begins the Gotterdammerung highlights and the death of Siegfried which on the highlights follows the Rhine Journey. I know only so much can fit on a CD, but one could have begun that trio with the words "Siegfried's Todd" sung by Gunther and then the trio would not have been so long.
However, great introduction of a massive work.
Highlights From The Classic Live Performance.......2003-12-30
This classic recording has value, even if it is the highlights and excerpts from the operas. There is a full recording in its entirety with Karl Bohm conducting and with the same singers- Birgit Nilsson as Brunhilde, Wolfgang Windgassen as Siegfried, Leonie Rysanek as Sieglende, James King as Siegmund and Theo Adam as Wotan, king of the gods. These singers were regarded as the best interpretors of their day. Certainly, Birgit Nilsson was born to sing Brunhilde. She has all the drama just in her voice. The inflection is dramatic, her stage presence was commanding, and a voice that even Maria Callas would kill for. Maria Callas sang Brunhilde once in the 40's, but it was never good nor became her signature role. Callas was primarily an Italian singer and she had complications singing German. In Callas' day, Kirsten Flagstad was the reigning Brunhilde interpretor. But Birgit Nilsson's voice far surpasses even Flagstad. Birgit Nilsson has all the heigh notes, the passion, the fire and the Wagnerian touch to a fine art. Theo Adam makes a superb Wotan- imperious, commanding, greedy, regial. His voice was well-trained in German and in the art of Wagner music drama. The same applies to James King, a top-notch German heldentenor who made such roles as Siegfried and Theseus (from Strauss' Ariadne) his own.
To sing Wagner is no walk in the park. Only the best heldentenors and Wagnerian soprano divas are employed in this recording. Among them the diva Leonie Rysanek, whose vocals and theatrics on stage was always to her advantage. Here she sings the role of Sieglende- Siegfried's mother and wife of Siegmund. In her dramatic duet with Siegmund, Leonie Rysanek heightens the drama of the moment by actually SCREAMING. It's brilliant. It was well known that Rysanek would always scream her lines when warranted. She has sung other heavy German repertoire- such as Strauss' Salome.
Karl Bohm has been criticized for overemphasizing the music, for directing at lightning speed and making a "sloppy", disappointing score for Wagner's Ring. Most fans of the Ring favor George Solti, who was the first to produce the first studio recording of the Ring. Still others prefer Furtwangler, who was a native German and who knew the music so well because for a long time he had been associated with Wagner's descendant family who operate the Bayreuth Festival Opera House. But Karl Bohm, despite his failure in some portions, has his moments. His strength lies in conducting Gotterdammerung's final scene- the Immolation and end of the world. Brunhilde, the last bearer of the cursed ring, has lost her beloved Siegfried to death by traitorous murderer- giants, curses the gods and commits suicide by throwing herself into Siegfrie'ds funeral pyre. The curse of the ring is lifted, the palace of the gods in Vallhalla is consumed in a devastating fire and the world is flooded by the overflowing Rhine river.
The theme of the Ring is not too complicated to understand. In much the same vein as J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" novels, and the recent film adaptations, the curse of a powerful ring is that of corrupted power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, in the words of philosopher John Locke. The ring, who entitled its beare to total power, was desired by everyone in the opera- from an ugly dwarf (Albrecht) who was willing to sacrifice sexual relations and love for possession of the ring. Albrecht is the instigator. Stealing the gold of the Rhine from the mermaid-like Rhinemaidens, he begins to build a mine and city under the earth. The gods of Valhalla have their own troubles- the giants who built Valhalla want to claim their promised reward- Wotan's wife, the goddess Freya. The powerful god Wotan will not accept the terms. This occurs in the first opera - Das Rhinegold (The Rhinegold). In the second installment, "Die Walkure (The Valkyrie) we are introduced to Siegmund and Sieglende. Because theirs is an illicit romance, Freya convinces Wotan to decree their deaths. But Brunhilde, Wotan's divine daughter opposes the decree and even saves the life of Sieglende who gives birth to the hero Siegfried. Brunhilde is the Valkyrie warrior woman (she is the stereotypical Wagner opera singer wearing a horned helmet , spear, shield, breast plate and battle costume. When Brunhilde's defiance is discovered, Wotan puts a spell over her. She is to sleep inside a ring of fire until the kiss of a demi-god hero awakens her. In this opera, the famous "Ride of the Valkyries" is featured, a dramatic music which has been used time and again in movies and television, most notably in the film "Apocalypse Now". In Siegfried, we follow the quest of Siegfried. He pulls his father's sword from a tree (like King Arthur does in Excalibur only Arthur pulls the sword from a stone and anvil). Siegfried, with the help of the mentor dwarf Mime, journeys into Albrecht's layer, defeats him and slays the vile dragon Falfner. Of course, he kisses Brunhilde and breaks the spell. In the last opera, Gotterdamerung or "Twilight of the Gods", the saga comes to an end when Siegfried is slain by the Gibechung giants. Brunhilde has her famous Immolation Scene and the world of mortals, and even the gods, die during the end of the world. The highlghts here include Siegfried's Rhine Jounrey and Siegfried's Funeral March (this March was used in John Boorman's Excalibur) and the concluding music.
Good introduction to the Ring; good value........2001-09-11
Nevertheless there is a need for a way to approach the Ring, to be introduced to it and to get its flavor, and this generously filled (2 hours 28 minutes of music) 2-disc set fills that requirement reasonably well. These are excerpts from all four Ring operas from live 1966-67 performances (the second Wieland Wagner production) at Bayreuth, the famed Wagner Festspielhaus in Bavaria; they are not studio recordings. They are not great performances, but they are good, capable, workmanlike ones. The sound is not the equal of the better studio recordings (like the Solti and von Karajan cycles), but it is good enough: clear and never objectionable. The conductor, Karl Bohm, was not a great Wagnerian; he gives a competent reading, favoring brisk tempos, generally lacking repose, keeping things moving along in a business-like manner, but the result is that he seems more interested in moving on to the next scene than in shaping the scene at hand to realize its full potential. His performance overall is characterized by persistent, even relentless, forward pressure. Sometimes this works, sometimes not; if he can be accused of insensitivity, of failing to make the most of his opportunities, he can't be accused of lingering, melting, dawdling, going slack. He is certainly not in the class of Solti or Furtwangler as a Wagner conductor. The notes all get played, but there is little magic fire coming from the pit here.
Most of the singers are able and well suited to their roles, and they are all singers who actually sang their roles on the operatic stage (not just in the recording studio). Outstanding are Birgit Nilsson and James King. Here is a chance to hear Nilsson, the greatest Wagnerian soprano of the second half of the twentieth century, "live" in her most celebrated role, Brunnhilde (who figures in the last three Ring operas), and that is an opportunity not to be sneezed at. She offers ringing vocal power, amplitude, stamina, with a brillliant, secure top, an unusual combination that is rarely found in Wagnerian sopranos, and she has no competition in any of the other complete sets except the Solti, where she is competing with herself. When it comes to unleashing her huge voice and letting it soar out over the potent Wagner orchestra, she has no peer, and reminds us of what great Wagnerian singing, heroic singing, used to be all about. James King is the Siegmund in Die Walkure (as he is in the Solti set), and his bright, attractive tenor and musicianly singing are a treat after the ersatz, makeshift Heldentenorizing we've usually had to make do with in Wagner since Melchior retired in 1950. Compare his singing here with the dry, threadbare, underpowered Siegfried of Wolfgang Windgassen--whose creditable performance is a triumph of professional skill over lack of natural resources--and you will see what I mean. Theo Adam as Wotan knows his stuff (he was a well-regarded Wotan) but his vocal endowment is not prepossessing either; he too, like so many Wagner singers of the post-Flagstad-Traubel-Melchior era (i.e., after 1950), is underpowered for the role.
This 2-CD set has direct, head-on competition from a similar (and similarly priced) Deutsche Grammophon 2-CD set of highlights from the Ring. The DG set is from the Karajan/Berlin Philharmonic studio recordings of the Ring operas (1967-1970). Here's how I stack up their pros and cons: The Bohm set has generally superior, more involved singing, including Nilsson as Brunnhilde, by singers who sing the same roles throughout (no switching horses in midstream, as in the Karajan, which has two different Wotans, two different Brunnhildes, and two different Siegfrieds), and who actually sang their roles in the opera house, not just in the recording studio (this is a problem with the more "artificial" Karajan set). Also, since the performances are "live," there is a certain sense of vividness, immediacy, and excitement missing in a studio recording. On the other hand, the Karajan set offers generally superior conducting and orchestral playing; his studio recording can be more note-perfect (with its opportunities for re-takes); and the sound of Karajan's set is better than that of Bohm's live performances (although still not as good as Solti's Ring, or the best more recent opera recordings).
So, between the Karajan and Bohm 2-CD Ring highlights sets, there is not a clearcut winner. To make choosing more difficult, both are priced the same and both offer very generously filled CDs (both have about two and a half hours of music). I marginally prefer the Bohm "live" performances, but I couldn't argue with anyone who listened to them both and preferred the Karajan.
Fire! Fire!.......2000-08-23
Renowned for his performances of Wagner, conductor Karl Bohm evokes fiery playing from the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra. Particularly at the climaxes, his tempi may seem too brisk for those wanting a more langorous Wagner. Nevertheless, Bohm manages to evoke the same white-hot intensity that make many of his other opera recordings riveting, with piercing horns and thunderous percussion. For opera lovers who already own other versions of Wagner's epic, this compilation may whet their appetites for buying the reasonably-priced complete set of Bohm's interpretation.
Average customer rating:
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The Bach Album
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000001GD3 Release Date: 1992-01-16 |
Tracks:
- Kantate BWV 197 No. 8: Vergnugen und Lust, Gedeihen und Heil
- Kantate BWV 58 No. 3: Ich Bin Vergnugt In Meinem Leiden
- Kantate BWV 204 No. 4: Die Schatzbarkeit Der Weiten Erden
- Kanatate BWV 97 No. 4: Ich Rtaue Seiner Gnaden
- Kantate BWV 115 No. 4: Bete Aber Auch Dabei
- Kantate BWV 171 No. 4: Jesus Soll Mein Erstes Wort
- Messe h-moll, BWV 232 No. 23: Benedictus, Qui Venit In Nomine Domini
- Messe h-moll, BWV 232, No. 5: Laudamus Te
- Kantate BWV 202 No. 5: Wenn Die Fruhlingslufte Streichen
- Kantate BWV 36 No. 7: Auch Mit Gedampften, Schwachen Stimmen
- Kantate BWV 187 No. 5: Gott Versorget Alles Leben
- Kantate BWV 84 No. 3: Ich Esse Mit Freuden Mein Weniges Brot
- Kantate BWV 105 No. 5: Kann Ich Nur Jesum Mir Zum Freunde Machen
Customer Reviews:
A Soothing And Unique Collection of Bach's Music.......2003-12-29
Wonderful, Heartfelt.......2003-01-14
Candidate for the most beautiful piece of music ever written.......2002-08-15
I'm Enjoying This, My First Real Exposure to Bach, Immensely.......2001-01-31
Bach, Battle, & Perlman at Their Finest.......2000-07-06
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