Alexander Kipnis: Opera, Lieder

On this CD:

1. Simon Boccanegra, opera A te l'estremo addio...Il laceratio spirito
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Berlin State Opera Orchestra with Alexander Kipnis
Conducted by Erich Ortmann

2. Don Carlo, opera Sie hat mich nie geliebt...Könnte doch die Krone
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Berlin State Opera Orchestra with Alexander Kipnis
Conducted by Clemens Schmalstich

3. Il barbière di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville), opera Die Verleumdung, sie ist ein Lüftchen
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Berlin State Opera Orchestra with Alexander Kipnis
Conducted by Erich Ortmann

4. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, opera, K. 384 Wer ein Liebchen hat gefunden
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Berlin State Opera Orchestra with Alexander Kipnis
Conducted by Erich Ortmann

5. Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492 Rache Arie
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Berlin State Opera Orchestra with Alexander Kipnis, Else Ruziczka
Conducted by Erich Ortmann

6. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527 Register-Arie
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Berlin State Opera Orchestra with Alexander Kipnis
Conducted by Clemens Schmalstich

7. Der Wildschütz, opera Fünftausend Taler
Composed by Albert Lortzing
Performed by Berlin State Opera Orchestra with Alexander Kipnis
Conducted by Erich Ortmann

8. Der Freischütz, opera in 3 acts, J. 277 Hier im ird' schen Jammertal
Composed by Carl Maria von Weber
Performed by Berlin State Opera Orchestra with Alexander Kipnis
Conducted by Clemens Schmalstich

9. Martha, opera Lasst mich euch fragen
Composed by Friedrich von Flotow
Performed by Berlin State Opera Orchestra with Alexander Kipnis
Conducted by Clemens Schmalstich

10. Faust, opera Ständchen
Composed by Charles Gounod
Performed by Berlin State Opera Orchestra with Alexander Kipnis
Conducted by Clemens Schmalstich

11. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, opera, WWV 96 Das schöne Fest, Johannistag
Composed by Richard Wagner
Performed by Berlin State Opera Orchestra with Alexander Kipnis
Conducted by Erich Ortmann

12. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, opera, WWV 96 Verachtet mir die Meister nicht
Composed by Richard Wagner
Performed by Berlin State Opera Orchestra with Alexander Kipnis
Conducted by Leo Blech

13. Parsifal, opera, WWV 111 So ward es uns verhiessen
Composed by Richard Wagner
Performed by Bayreuth Festival Orchestra with Alexander Kipnis, Fritz Wolff
Conducted by Siegfried Wagner

14. Die Walküre (The Valkyrie), opera, WWV 86b Leb' wohl du kühnes herzliches Kind
Composed by Richard Wagner
Performed by Berlin State Opera Orchestra with Alexander Kipnis
Conducted by Leo Blech

15. Ariodante, opera, HWV 33 Al sen ti stringo e parto
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Alexander Kipnis, Arthur Bergh

16. Berenice, Regina d'Egitto, opera, HWV 38 Si, tra i ceppi
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Alexander Kipnis, Arthur Bergh

17. Heidenröslein ("Sah ein Knab..."), song for voice & piano, D. 257 (Op. 3/3)
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Alexander Kipnis, Gerald Martin Moore

18. Die schöne Müllerin, song cycle, for voice & piano, D. 795 (Op. 25)
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Alexander Kipnis, Gerald Martin Moore

19. Erlkönig ("Wer reitet so spät"), song for voice & piano, D. 328 (Op. 1)
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Celius Dougherty, Alexander Kipnis

20. Der Wanderer ("Ich komme vom Gebirge her"), song for voice & piano (two versions, D. 489b/c), D. 493 (Op. 4/1)
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Alexander Kipnis, Frank Bibb

21. Winterreise, song cycle for voice & piano, D. 911 (Op. 89) Der Lindenbaum
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Alexander Kipnis, Frank Bibb

22. Winterreise, song cycle for voice & piano, D. 911 (Op. 89) No 20, Der Wegweiser
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Alexander Kipnis, Frank Bibb

23. Schwanengesang (Swan Song), song cycle for voice & piano, D. 957 No 5, Aufenthalt
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Alexander Kipnis, Frank Bibb

24. Schwanengesang (Swan Song), song cycle for voice & piano, D. 957 No.12, Am Meer
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Alexander Kipnis, Frank Bibb

25. Schwanengesang (Swan Song), song cycle for voice & piano, D. 957 No.13, Der Doppelgänger
Composed by Franz Schubert
Performed by Alexander Kipnis, Frank Bibb

26. Romanzen und Balladen II, 3 songs for voice & piano, Op. 49 No 1, Die beiden Grenadiere
Composed by Robert Schumann
Performed by Celius Dougherty, Alexander Kipnis

27. Songs (5) for voice & piano, Op. 105 No 4, Auf dem Kirchhofe
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Alexander Kipnis, Arthur Bergh

28. Songs (5) for voice & piano, Op. 105 No 2, Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Alexander Kipnis, Arthur Bergh

29. Songs (6) for voice & piano, Op. 86 No 2, Feldeinsamkeit
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Alexander Kipnis, Arthur Bergh

30. Songs (5) for voice & piano, Op. 94 No 4, Sapphische Ode
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Alexander Kipnis, Arthur Bergh

31. I Vespri siciliani, opera (Les vêpres siciliennes) O tu Palermo
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Alexander Kipnis

32. Don Carlo, opera Ella giammai m'amo
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Alexander Kipnis

33. Der Barbier von Bagdad, opera So schwärmet Jugend
Composed by Peter Cornelius
Performed by Alexander Kipnis

Tracks:

Simon Boccanegra: A Te L' Estremo Addio...Il Lacerato Spirto
Don Carlos: Sie Hat Mich Nie Geliebt...Konnte Doch Die Krone
Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Die Verleumdung, Sie Ist Ein Luftchen
Die Entfruhrung Aus Dem Serail: Wer Ein Liebchen Hat
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Rache Arie (La Vendetta)
Don Giovanni: Register-Arie
Der Wildschutz: Funftausend Taler
Der Freischutz: Hier Im Ird' Schen Jammertal
Martha: Lasst Mich Euch Fragen (Porterlied)
Faust: Standchen (Vous Qui Faites L'endormie)
Die Meistersinger: Das Schone Fest, Johannistag
Die Meistersinger: Verachtet Mir Die Meister Nicht
Parsifal: So Ward Es Uns Verchiessen (Good Friday Music)
Die Walkure: Wotans Abschied

Tracks:

Ariodante: Al Sen Ti Stringo E Parto
Berenice: Si, Tra I Ceppi
Heidenroslein D.257
Ungeduld D.795, No.7
Erlkonig D.328
Der Wanderer D.493
Der Lindenbaum D.911, No.5
Der Wegweiser D.911, No.20
Aufenthalt D.957, No.5
Am Meer D.957, No.12
Der Doppelganger D.957, No.13
Die Beiden Grenadiere, Op.49, No.1
Auf Dem Kirchhofe, Op.105, No.4
Immer leiser Wird Mein Schlummer, Op.105, No.2
Feldeinsamkeit, Op.86, No.2
Sapphische Ode, Op.94, No.4
O Tu Palermo
Ella Giammai M' Amo
So Schwarmet Jugend

Customer Reviews:

A bass without Boris? It can be done!.......2005-12-08

There have been exactly four world-famous giants of the bass voice in classical music in the 20th century: Feodor Chaliapin, Boris Christoff, Ezio Pinza, and Alexander Kipnis. Those are the four contenders for the top spot, and all others, no matter how estimable, can but contest for second place in public and critical preference. The Russian Chaliapin, like Maria Callas, achieved his fame as much or more through his histrionic abilities and striking appearance than through vocal beauty; some of his most famous recorded singing moments aren't really even singing! Christoff (a Bulgarian) was his "successor" in similar roles, principally in Mussorgsky's Boris Godunov-less dramatic but vocally more beautiful, a pleasant enough tradeoff. The Italian Pinza was altogether more suave and lyrical, and although he did sing Boris (in Italian while the rest of the cast sang in Russian!), he was better known in Mozart (particularly Don Giovanni) and, of all things, South Pacific.

Alexander Kipnis, another Russian (and father of the great harpsichordist Igor Kipnis), is the least known of this quartet to the public today, although his timbre was no less beautiful than the others, and he was probably the most musical of them all. His lesser fame is probably due to the fact that he spent so much of his recording career on art song rather than opera (which is always better box office), and that in opera he had no clear specialty in which he outshone the competition. He too sang the greatest bass role in opera, Tsar Boris, but his studio recordings in the part are unfortunately a shade below his best; it shows great courage on the part of Nimbus to exclude them from their two-disc collection in favor of more flattering examples of his art. Here instead we have his unsurpassed performance of the aria "Wer ein Liebchen hat gefunden" from Mozart's Abduction from the Seraglio, in which his seamless two-octave span is breathtakingly displayed from a cavernous low G on up to an ethereal high D without any strain or dislocation.

Kipnis had a distinctive way of expressing tenderness and strength almost simultaneously, and his legato phrasing was peerless-all in clear evidence in the album's opening selection, "Il lacerato spirito" from Verdi's Simon Boccanegra, both noble and opulent in sound. He seemed to be at home in Italian and French opera, Mozart and Wagner, grand opera and operetta, comedy and tragedy, opera and lieder, singing with beauty and intelligence no matter the genre or period. Such versatility was unknown among the other three great basses, who often appeared in garishly unflattering light when straying from their well-honed specialties. Nimbus Prima Voce is to be commended for another judicious culling for their beautifully recorded and packaged series of the greatest singers, and for sticking here to the Kipnis recordings made in the 1920s and early 1930s when his voice was at its very best.

Wonderful singer and great selections.......2002-11-05

A great CD. Kipnis is one of the all-time greatest basses in recorded history and this is a fantastically diverse and interesting selection of arias and lieder.

Many of his great roles are included including Philip II, Simon B., Leporello, Bartolo (Rossini and Mozart), Osmin, Mephistopheles (Gounod), Sachs, Gurnemanz, Wotan.

Also, some very nice Schubert and Brahms lieber, including "Erlkonig" and "Aufenthalt". Great to hear "Aufenthalt" done by a true bass.

Generally, very good recording quality.

This is a great addition to the Prima Voce series.

A Great Basso.......1999-12-20

This set is an amazing testimony to one of the amazing voices of the century. Kipnis's versatility, range and artistry are convincingly displayed in both the aria and lieder selections. The transfers from 1928-1930's are excellent as regards the voice and good as regards the piano; the orchestral quality leaves a bit more to be desired.

The German versions of standard Italian arias are enough to convince an Original Language purist that vernacular opera can be totally convincing when translated with sufficient musical as well as literary skill. True even of the Verdi selections here; and as regards the Rossini and Mozart "patter songs", why, the German is even funnier - and more difficult - than the original. The panache with which Kipnis whips them off is delightful.

A great bass always great........1999-10-23

We knew the art of Kipnis, less great than in other recortdings, if we sperak of the itelian operas, here sung in german! But we find the best Kipnis in the pages from Wagner's operas. Very important the lieders.

Alexander Kipnis Opera/Lieder (Prima Voce)

Average customer rating:

Alexander Kipnis Opera/Lieder (Prima Voce)

Manufacturer: Nimbus
ProductGroup: Classical
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000LFR1N8

Average customer rating:

Richard Wagner on Record

Manufacturer: Preiser Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000009UCL
Release Date: 1998-07-04

Tracks:

Die Walkure: Du Bist Der Lenz - Lilli Lehmann
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg: Weilten Die Sterne - Hermann Winkelmann
Tannhauser: Noch Bleibe Denn Unausgesprochen - Wilhelm Hesch
Tannhauser: O Du Mein Holder Abendstern - Leopold Demuth
Das Rheingold: Weiche, Wotan, Weiche - Ernestine Schumann-Heink/Herbert Witherspoon
Tristan Und Isolde: Wohin Nun Tristan Scheidet - Ernst Kraus
Der Fliegende Hollander: Mogst Du, Mein Kind - Paul Knupfer
Das Rheingold: Jetzt Fand' Ich's! Was Euch Fehlt - Otto Briesemeister
Rienzi: Erstehe, Hohe Roma, Neu - Jacques Urlus
Lohengrin: In Fernem Land - Erik Schmedes
Das Rheingold: Abendlich Strahlt Der Sonne Auge - Theodor Bertram
Tannhauser: Als Du In Kuhnem Sange Uns Bestrittest - Fritz Feinhals
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg: Fanget An! - Carl Burrian
Lohengrin: Entweihte Gotter - Edyth Walker
Siegfried: Schmiede, Mein Hammer, Ein Hartes Schwert - Heinrich Knote
Lohengrin: Mein Herr Und Gott - Leon Rains
Parsifal: Mein Vater! Hochgesegneter Der Helden! - Clarence Whitehill
Tristan Und Isolde: Dein Werk? O Tor'ge Magd! - Johanna Gadski
Lohengrin: Des Konigs Wort Und Will'tu Ich Euch Kund - Nicola Geisse-Winkel
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg: Am Stillen Herd - Leo Slezak
Parsifal: Auf Ewigkeit Warst Du Verdammt Mit Mir - Rudolf Berger/Erna Denera/Eduard Habich
Tristan Und Isolde: Tatest Du's Wirklich - Paul Bender

Tracks:

Parsifal: Nur Eine Waffe Taugt - Heinrich Hensel
Tannhauser: O Du Mein Holder Abenstern (Sung In Czech) - Friedrich Plaschke
Tristan Und Isolde: Wohin Nun Tristan Scheidet - Modest Menzinsky
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg: Was Duftet Doch Der Flieder - Hermann Weil
Lohengrin: Mein Lieber Schwan - Hermann Jadlowker
Gotterdammerung: Hoiho! Hoihohoho! Ihr Gibichsmannen - Allen Hinckley
Der Fliegende Hollander: Mogst Du, Mein Kind - Richard Mayr
Tannhauser: Der Unglucksel'ge, Den Gefangen - Emmy Destinn
Lohengrin: Du Armste Kannst Wohl Nie Ermessen - Berta Morena
Lohengrin: Atmest Du Nicht Mit Mir Die Sussen Dufte - Robert Hutt
Das Rheingold: Uber Stock Und Stein Zu Tal - Walther Kirchhoff
Die Walkure: Zauberfest Bezahmt Ein Schlaf - Fritz Soot
Siegfried: Nothung! Nothung! Neidliches Schwert - Rudolf Ritter
Siegfried: Ewig War Ich - Lucy Weidt
Gotterdammerung: An Der Weltesche Wob Ich Einst - Hermine Kittel
Parsifal: Ich Sah Das Kind An Seiner Mutter Brust - Melanie Kurt
Lohengrin: Euch Luften, Die Mein Klagen - Eva Von Der Osten
Die Walkure: Wintersturme Wichen Dem Wonnemond - Johannes Sembach
Der Fliegende Hollander: Traft Ihr Das Schiff Im Meere An - Barbara Kemp
Die Walkure: Der Augen Leuchtendes Paar - Carl Armster
Tristan Und Isolde: Mild Und Leise - Helene Wildbrunn

Tracks:

Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg: Verachtet Mir Die Meister Nicht - Emil Schipper
Parsifal: Seit Ewigkeiten Harre Ich Deiner - Lilly Hafgren
Die Walkure: Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! - Gertrude Kappel
Die Walkure: So Ist Es Denn Aus Mit Den Ewigen Gottern - Margarete Arndt-Ober
Die Walkure: Siegmund Heiss' Ich - Richard Schubert
Tristan Und Isolde: Einsam Wachend - Emmi Leisner
Gotterdammerung: Mime Hiess Ein Murrischer Zwerg - Curt Taucher
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg: Ein Kind Ward Hier Geboren - Wilhelm Rode
Die Walkure: Du Bist Der Lenz - Maria Jeritza
Parsifal: Oh, Wunden Wundervoller Heiliger Speer! - Michael Bohnen
Der Fliegende Hollander: Traft Ihr Das Schiff Im Meere An - Frida Leider
Tannhauser: Als Du In Kuhnem Sange Uns Bestrittest - Harry De Garmo
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg: O Sachs! Mein Freund! - Lotte Lehmann
Der Fliegende Hollander: Wie Aus Der Ferne - Friedrich Schorr
Das Rheingold: Weiche, Wotan, Weiche - Sigrid Onegin
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg: Was Duftet Doch Der Flieder - Josef Von Manowarda
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg: Gut'n Abend, Meister! - Emmy Bettendorf/Alfred Jerger
Schmerzen - Sabine Kalter
Gotterdammerung: Seit Er Von Dir Geschieden - Maria Olszewska