The Essential Richard Strauss [Box set]

On this CD:

1. Don Juan, tone poem for orchestra, Op. 20
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with Franz Bartolomey, Heinrich Koll, Rainer Kuchl
Conducted by Andre Previn

2. Don Quixote, fantastic variations for cello & orchestra, Op. 35
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with Franz Bartolomey, Heinrich Koll, Rainer Kuchl
Conducted by Andre Previn

3. Also sprach Zarathustra (Thus Spoke Zoroaster), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 30
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with Gerhart Hetzel
Conducted by Andre Previn

4. Tod und Verklärung (Death and Transfiguration), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 24
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with Gerhart Hetzel
Conducted by Andre Previn

5. Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony) for orchestra, Op. 64
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Andre Previn

6. Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), tone poem for orchestra, Op. 40
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with Arleen Auger, Rainer Kuchl
Conducted by Andre Previn

7. Vier letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs), for voice & orchestra, AV 150
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with Arleen Auger
Conducted by Andre Previn

Tracks:

Zarathustra Fanfare - (From 'Also sprach Zarathustra')
Concerto For Two Trumpets In C: Allegro
Concerto For Two Trumpets In C: Largo
Concerto For Two Trumpets In C: Allegro
Canzone prima a 5
Turkish Rondo (Rondo alla turca)
Fugue In G Minor 'Little'
Beale Street Blues
Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Largo al factotum - From 'Il barbiere di Siviglia'
Serenade K. 361: Theme, Interludes And Re-Variations
The Flight Of The Tuba Bee - From 'The Tale Of Tsar Saltan'
La Virgen de la Macarena (Traditional)
Die Dreigroschenoper: Cannon Song
Amazing Grace - (Traditional)
Tuba Tiger Rag - (Traditional)
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor
Prelude No. 2, BWV 847 From 'The Well-Tempered Clavier': Be-bop Bach
Prelude No. 8, BWV 853 From 'The Well-Tempered Clavier': Blue Bach
Fugue No. 2, BWV 847 From 'The Well-Tempered Clavier': Dixie Bach
Canon
The Saint's Hallelujah - (Traditional)

Customer Reviews:

Got to like it.......2007-02-01

When I heard samples from this CD, I really wanted to get it. However, when I did and listened the full versions I did not seem to like them that much. There are several pices that I totally do not care for, a few I really like (especially, Bach's pieces), and some I got used to. Overall, I like the CD, but not as much as I though I would.

A gleaming vision of brass sound.......2005-10-18

The Canadian Brass have been a lively and fun force in music for decades, since being brought together in Toronto 'by a gleaming vision of brass sound'. They are now world famous, having delighted and dazzled people in concerts all over the globe. One of the problems for a group such as this is the lack of repertoire readily available, so the group has become expert at arranging pieces for other instruments for their ensemble. They have also commissioned a good number of pieces of their performance.

One such commission is found on this recording, entitled 'The Well-Tampered Bach', a take-off on the Bach work 'The Well-Tempered Clavier'. This is a setting of various pieces by J.S. Bach for brass quintet and drums, worked by Luther Henderson for the ensemble's 1985 appearance in Toronto. Henderson is a frequent arranger and composer for the Canadian Brass, having also put together the 'Tuba Tiger Rag', reminiscent of the World War I era, and jazz pieces like 'Beale Street Blues'.

More traditional composers are represented in arrangement for brass, such as a more standard arrangement for Bach's Fugue in G minor, Mozart's Turkish Rondon, and pieces from Gabrieli, Vivaldi, Strauss, Rossini, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Pachelbel.

The disc has a wonderful blend of pieces classical and modern, 'proper' composition and traditional/folk inspiration, and a very lively and powerful presentation of all the music.

wow.......2001-07-20

This CD is amazing. It's a shame more people don't know about this incredible group. I'm a brass player and I just learned of these guys a few months ago. If you like classical music or brass music, this is a must own!

Essential CD.......2000-12-12

If you like the sound of brass and if your tastes run the gamut from Gabrieli to Handy, with stops hither and yon, this CD is essential to your collection. In it, the Canadian Brass demonstrate their amazing ability to play the early Baroque masters right along side the early jazz masters -- and make it seem perfectly natural! In the process, a bit of Rimsky-Korsakov, Mozart and Lord knows what gets thrown in for good measure. Plus, they play a rousing rendition of Bach's "Little Fugue in G Minor." If the music on this CD doesn't get you going, you need to immediately go to the ER at the nearest hospital!

The Best "Best of" the Canadian Brass.......1999-10-26

If you buy one Canadian Brass CD, buy this one. It contains the widest variety of musical eras and styles. Our favorite CB song, Beale Street Blues is hard to find, but on this CD. There are serious, classical selections and fun songs such as the "Tuba Tiger Rag" and "Flight of the Tuba Bee". This is Brass Quintet music at its best!

The Essential Jessye Norman [Includes DVD: Jessye Norman Sings Carmen]

Average customer rating:

wonderful
Favorite Soprano: Gorgeous Dramatic Voice
Amazing.... if you get it somewhere else
A MUST HAVE...
Amazing Voice

The Essential Jessye Norman [Includes DVD: Jessye Norman Sings Carmen]

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

I Was Born in Love With You
Jessye Norman Classics
Jessye Norman at Christmas (Ac3 Dol Dts)
Jessye Norman - Sacred Songs ~ Ave Maria, Amazing Grace, etc..
Brava, Jessye!: The Very Best Of Jessye Norman

ASIN: B00067GKEM
Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

Quand Je Vous Aimerai? L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle (Habanera)
Pres Des Ramparts De Seville (Seguidilla)
Porgi, Amor, Qualche Ristoro
E Susanna Non Vien! ... Dove Sono I Bei Momenti
Regina Coeli Laetare ... Inneggiamo, Il Signor Non E Morto (Easter Hymn)
Thy Hand Belinda ... When I Am Laid In Earth
Cacilie, Op. 27 No. 2
Wiegenlied
Villanelle (No. 1)
Standchen
Ave Maria
Amazing Grace
Somewhere
With A Song In My Heart
O Holy Night
Panis Angelicus
Mild Und Leise (Isoldes Liebestod)

Customer Reviews:

wonderful.......2007-04-04

This record is wonderful; simply Jessye Norman. What else can I say: loved it!

Favorite Soprano: Gorgeous Dramatic Voice.......2006-11-05

The first time I ever heard Jessye Norman sing was a recording of Dich Teure Halle from Wagner's Tannhauser, and I was immediately enchanted. She has a gorgeous ringing tone and powerful voice. However, she can also bring her voice to a delicate sweetness that other dramatic sopranos find difficult. This album is put together particularly well. I love her Carmen and Isolde here, but I cannot stop listening to the other songs either, the non-operatic ones included. This my favorite CD, and I would definitely reccomend it to anyone considering the purchase.

Amazing.... if you get it somewhere else.......2006-05-28

I got it for HKD $69 in HKV in Hong Kong (which is around 8.70USD)

A MUST HAVE..........2006-02-09

The American soprano Jessye Norman was born in Augusta, Georgia (the segregated South) on September 15, 1945 in a family of amateur musicians; her mother a pianist, her father a singer in a local choir.

Norman received a scholarship to Howard University (a historically black university in Washington, D.C.) -NOT INDIANA-, graduating in 1967 with a degree in music. The following year, she won the ARD International Music Competition in Munich. She made her operatic debut in 1969 as Elisabeth in Richard Wagner's Tannhäuser at the Berlin State Opera, and in subsequent years performed with various German and Italian opera companies. She returned to the US to make her professional concert debut at Lincoln Center in 1973.

Amazing Voice.......2005-07-06

Jessye Norman has possibly the greatest voice I have ever heard. Being a bass/baritone, I usually shy away from higher voices (especially tenors), but I find this soprano to be flooring. For being a classicaly trained vocalist (she attended Indiana University) Ms. Norman has an incredibly versatile voice. In this album alone, she sings broad French arias, light Mozart, spirituals, and Broadway. Each is done superbly. Out of every track, her rendition of "Ave Maria" is my favorite. She sings it so tenderly and intimately, it is like she is singing it directly in front of you. You will be moved, certainly.

I suggest this CD to everyone, a fan of classical music or not. It is important for everyone to have these songs to relax, calm down, or to just listen to. You would not regret it.

Average customer rating:

To Previn or not to Previn?
Mostly Essential R. Strauss

The Essential Richard Strauss

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000003D1V
Release Date: 1995-06-20

Tracks:

Don Juan, Op.20 - Rainer Kuchl
Introduction/Variation I/Variation II/Variation III/Variation IV/Variation V/Variation VI/Variation VI/Variation VII/Variation VIII/Variation IX/Variation X/Finale - Rainer Kuchl

Tracks:

Introduction/Of The Dwellers In The World Beyond/Of The Great Yearning/Of Joys And Passions/Funeral Song/Of Science/The Convalescent/Dance Song/Sight Wanderer's Song
Largo/Allegro Molto Agitato/Meno Mosso/Etwas Breiter/Appassionato/Tempo 1. Sehr Breit/Tempo Der Einleitung/Allegro, Molto Agitato/Moderato/Tranquillo - Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Tracks:

Nacht/Sonnenaufgang/Der Aufstieg/Eintritt In Den Wald/Wanderung Neben Dem Bache/Am Wasserfall/Erscheinung/Auf Blumigen Wiesen/Auf Der Alm/Durch Dickicht Und Gestrupp Auf Irrwegen/Auf Dem Gletscher/Gefahrvolle Augenblicke/Auf Dem Gipfel/Vision/Nebel....

Tracks:

A Hero's Life: The Hero/The Hero's Adversaries/The Hero's Helpmate/The Hero's Battlefield/The Hero's Works Of Peace/The Hero's Retreat From The World And Fulfillment
Fruhling (Hesse)
September (Hesse)
Beim Schlafengehen (Hesse)
Im Abendrot (Eichendorff)

Customer Reviews:

To Previn or not to Previn?.......2005-10-18

The attraction here is twofold: the magnificent Vienna Philharmonic and the equally magnificent Telarc sound. If both appeal to you so much that you don't need to worry about Previn's conducting, this set is self-recommending. But there are many great recordings of all these Strauss tone poems, along with the Four Last Songs, and therefore the question of whether to buy them in a box set under Andre Previn will be important to many listeners.

Let me give a thumbnail for each work:

Also Sprach Zarathustra (1987): Nobody ever labelled Previn a volatile conductor, and here he is at his most comfortable and middle-of-the-road (his overall timing is almost 35 min. compared to Reiner's 32 min. with the Chicago Sym. on RCA). There are no startling thwacks on the timpani, searing trumpets or ear-floodig organ in the famous opening. Previn quickly finds fairly slow tempos and a relaxed sense of phrasing that diminishes the impact of this work quite a bit. On the other hand, the orchestra is to the manner born in Strauss, and the sonics are big and natural. To find a competitive version of Zarathustra with Vienna, one would have to go back to the Karajan performance on Decca/London from 1959--probably his greatest Strauss CD.

Coupled with he Zarathustra is a fairly lusty Death and Transfiguration (1987)that has a few patches of slack phrasing but is on the whole quite good.

Alpine Symphony (1989): Probably the very best thing in the whole set, this performance is caught in even better sound, more detailed than the Zarathustra. Previn isn't as stirring as Karajan with Berlin (DG) or Blomstedt with San Francisco (Decca), and he doesn't have a great feeling for mountain atmopshere, but in this case the playing by the Vienna Phil. is so glorious that simply staying out of their way, as Previn does, makes for a thrilling musical experience. Karajan excels in this work as an interpreter but is plagued with shrill early digital sound that is improved on the latest reissue by DG without becoming beautiful, as the sound for Previn certainly is.

Ein Heldenleben (1988): The story is getting familiar by now. This is a large-scaled, gorgeously played reading, with Previn supplying a generalized approach. Still, he avoids bombast, and this potentially embarrassing bit of self-glorfication on Struass's part sounds like real music. Previn takes 46 min., in line with Karajan, but of course Karajan finds much more to say.

The coupling is a lovely Four Last Songs with Arleen Auger in radiant voice. Her light lyric soptano probably wouldn't carry over the orchestra in a live setting, unlike Jessye Norman or Kirsten Flagstad, who premiered the work. On a CD that's no problem, and Auger is considerably more human than Janowitz for Karajan and less self-conscious than Renee Fleming. There are lots of great versions of this sublime song cycle; hers is one of the most natural and appealing. Previn takes his time compared to Ackermann or Szell in the two classic Schwarzkopf recordings for EMI, and the engineers sometimes swamp the singer, making it hard to udnerstand her words. But Auger isn't paying that much attention to the poetry anyway, just to producing gorgeous, sensitive sounds. Overall, this CD is almost as satisfying as the one with the Alpine Symphony.

Don Quixote (1990): It's refreshing when conductors pull their cello and viola soloists from the orchestra for this work rather than importing a celebrity cellist who inevitably uses the part of Don Quixote as a personal showpiece. The Vienna Phil., needless to say, is gifted with first-desk musicians who embody every ounce of Viennese style. That's certainly true here. The unanimity between soloists and orchestra is remarkable, and even though Previn makes a warm bath of the accompaniment and misses a lot of Strauss's scene painting, this Don Quixote emerges with genuine feeling, from wistful to satiric, ending in sweet melancholy. If you don't need excitment in this work, Previn's aproach is satisfying.

The coupling here is Don Juan, which starts off terrifically but lapses into Previn's familiar easy-going phrasing and lack of dramatic tension. I would rate this CD behind the Alpine Symphony and Heldenleben. There are much more dynamic readings of both pieces to be had, especially from Karajan, Szell, and Reiner.

I hope this overview wasn't an exercise in futility--Previn doesn't reveal any major triumphs or failures here, and the orchestra and sonics don't change much from year to year. As a Strauss conductor in the mid-price range, Previn is nowhere as bland as Ormandy or Sawallisch, and I prefer him to the brusque Karl Bohm. On the other hand, Haitink is excellent in Strauss, far more imaginative than Previn, and he's given excellent sound by Philips--he's a very good direct competitor if you don't demand the Vienna Phil. In terms of having the best readings all around, Karajan is sitll my favorite by quite a bit, but Telarc's set has its own virtues.

Mostly Essential R. Strauss.......2000-02-19

With the exception of a few other "must have" orchestral pieces, this box set does represent the essential Richard Strauss---as far as orchestral music goes. I wish that Metamorphosis was on this set. Regardless, this box set is a fine set of recordings. Previn is considered by many critics to be one of the best living R. Strauss interpreters. Teamed up with the Vienna Philharmonic, great performances are produced. Listening to Don Juan, it is detectable that he takes the piece a little faster than Herbert von Karajan, but the results are incredible. In this set, Arlene Auger sings the four last songs. I have to wonder if this is her best performance. Her voice is perfect for these songs. Subtle, sublime, full of passion and feeling, and great control. These are the true highlights of the package but by no means the only thing great. It is a highly recommendable compilation. The performances are great, and the sounds is spectacular. All recorded in digital Telarc sound, this set is a welcome addition to anyone's R. Strauss collection.

Average customer rating:

The Essential Björling

Manufacturer: Mastersound
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000027INX
Release Date: 1995-06-20

The Essential Leontyne Price:Her Greatest Roles

Average customer rating:

BestVerdian soprano ever!

The Essential Leontyne Price:Her Greatest Roles

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Price, Leontyne | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000009W8I
Release Date: 1998-08-11

Tracks:

Act I: Ritorna vincitor!
Act I: E l'amor mio?
Act I: I sacri nomi di padre, d'amante
Act III: Qui Ramades verra!
Act III: O patria mia
Act II: [Prelude]
Act II: Ecco l'orrido campo
Act II: Ma dall'arido stelo divulsa
Act III: A tal colpa e nulla il pianto
Act III: Morro, ma prima in grazia
Act I: Che piu t'arresti?
Act I: Tacea la notte placida
Act I: Di tale amor che dirsi
Act I: Siam giunti
Act IV: D'amour sull' ali rosee
Surta e la notte
Ernani! Ernani, involami
Tutto sprezzo che d'Ernani
Act II: Son guinta! Grazie, o Dio!
Act II: Madre, madre, pietosa Vergine
Act II: La vergine degli angeli
Act IV: Pace, pace, mio Dio

Tracks:

Act I: Come scoglio immoto resta
Act II: Piangi? Perche?; Un bel di verdremo
Act III: Tu? tu? piccolo Iddio!
Act II: Vissi d'arte
Act II: In quelle trine morbide
Act IV: Sola, perduta, abbandonata
Act III: Mes filles, viola que s'acheve
Act I: Don Ottavio, son morta!
Act I: Or sai chi l'onore
Act II: Cruedele? Ah, no, mio bene!
Act II: Non mi dir
Act I: Signore, ascolta!
Act III: Tu che di gel sei cinta
Es gibt ein Reich
Act III: Give me my robe

Amazon.com

Since Price's retirement from the stage, there has been no really fine Verdi soprano to take her place: If you want proof, listen to the first of these two CDs and hear her Aida, her two Leonoras, her Elvira, and her Amelia--no-one has come near her sense of line, phrasing, control, and the utter loveliness of her sound. The second CD finds her as Butterfly (a bit gross for my taste), Fiordiligi (ditto--and she misreads or mis-sings Mozart's instructions in the long roulade up to and past the high C), Manon Lescaut (beautiful but dumb), Donna Anna (fine), Liu (gorgeous), Ariadne (a knockout), Cleopatra (sui generis), Tosca (blah but elegant), and Poulenc's Madame Lidoine (imperious). A mixed bag, but that Verdi stuff is dynamite. --Robert Levine.

Customer Reviews:

BestVerdian soprano ever!.......1998-10-12

It is impossible for a passionate Verdi listener not to match the music of Aida,Leonora(1and2),Amelia with the incomparable voice of Leontyne Price.When trying to explain the meaning of the verdian"canto spiegato"it is sufficient to play one of the tracks of this marvellous CD!But also in her Puccini (Tosca) and Mozart(Donna Anna) roles miss Price brings in a freshness, an authority ,which makes also this listening sessions a thrilling experience .

The Metronome Collection, Vol. 3: The Essential Beethoven

Average customer rating:

The Metronome Collection, Vol. 3: The Essential Beethoven

Manufacturer: Liquid 8
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0007IO6CS
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Tracks:

Symphony No. 7
Concerto No. 3 For Piano And Orchestra In C Minor
Leonore Overture No. 3
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 5

Product Description

Tracks:

The Great Waltz: I Long For Vienna
Paganini: I Have Been in Love Before
Boccaccio: Medley
The Merry Widow: Vilja
Der Vigelhandler: Roses From Tyrol
Song Of Norway: Strange Music
Schon ist die Welt: Darling, Trust In Me
Show Boat: You Are Love
A Waltz Dream: Lovesong Of May
New Moon: Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise
The Merry Widow: Merry Widow Waltz
The Count of Luxembourg: Medley
Show Boat: Why Do I Love You?
The Opera Ball: In Our Secluded Rendezvous
Das Land des Lachelns: Yours Is My Heart Alone
Song Of Norway: I Love You
Paganini: Love, You Invaded My Senses
Schon ist die Welt: Wonderful World
The Merry Widow: Women
Kismet: Stranger In Paradise
Frasquita: Frasquita's Serenade
Vienna, My City Of Dreams

Customer Reviews:

Insipid lyrics-just what I wanted!.......2001-01-27

I received this CD several days ago and have just ordered two more copies of it so I can play it in the car and living room as well as on the computer. I also have "Vienna, City of My Dreams" sung by Placido Domingo in German and love them both. Many years ago before I ever knew who Richard Tucker was, I bought his record, "Vienna, My City of Dreams" with those English lyrics-I wore out three copies of that record and am finally getting it on CD-regardless of the language he sings in, Richard Tucker's music is a treasure and how wonderful that it will never be silenced!!

An Operetta Gem.......2000-06-29

For those of us who have an unbridled passion for operetta, this CD is a treasure. The focus here is Richard Tucker. Fourteen of the 22 tracks are by him. There is much love and affection in these readings. The english translations are just fine. Original languages are just as confectionary in their own tongue. This is part of the magic--part of the fantasy. I would like to have seen this as a single vehicle for Mr. Tucker. The other selections were extracted from full production highlights from other albums and were transition works from operetta to American musical comedy--Song of Norway, Show Boat and Kismet. While nice, they do not necessarily qualify as essential operetta. My only real concern with the collection is Mr. Tucker's use of falsetto for the concluding high note on four selections. This was particularly disconcerting in the revered Siecynski favorite, VIENNA, MY CITY OF DREAMS. The transition to the high note resembled a yoddle. He hits the same notes so beautifully in the other numbers. But what the heck, you still have 10 other solos to treasure. An investment well worth the price.

Beautiful Singing Sabotaged by Insipid Lyrics.......2000-02-27

Kitch!

Wonderful singing, really wonderful, but 12 (of 22) of the songs are marred by the insipid lyric translations of Merl Puffer and Deena Cavalieri. Unfortunately, the singers sing so well that you hear every word with crystal clarity. Here are some lines: Darling trust in me, for I'll always be a loving subject waiting your command...for a love sincere, conquers every fear...champagne will flow, and our hearts will glow...social pressures I faithfully shun, I defy, those who pry, boredom exists everywhere, and I'll escape from it's snare...ah, you see, what love can be...I languish as I linger, from love's fragile bloom, if you'll but raise a finger, I'll clime to your room, the night is growing colder, the world is growing older, don't turn an icy shoulder. I am no expert on poetry but I think that stuff is awful. If these lyrics won't bother you, these are beautifully sung operetta/show tunes. Tucker and Della Casa are fantastic.

An enchanting disc.......1999-04-15

An enchanting disc with Richard Tucker in quite unbelieveably fine voice, even purists will quickly adjust to the slightly cute "English lyrics"

The great surprise of this disc is that it is sung in English using slightly suspect English lyrics, rather than translations it seems, of the non-American works. Mostly it does not matter much, occasionally they are an improvement or even enlighten the music, such as Lehar's "I have been in love before" from his Paganini. In other cases they seem quite unnecessary or simply wrong and difficult to sing to boot. Given that Tucker also sometimes applies an accent that seems vaguely Viennese and it might seem to add up to a recipe for disaster. Not so at all. The voice wins you over within minutes and the recording and remastering were clearly undertaken with equal and genuine affection.

Then there are the pieces sung by other than the tenor, such as Lisa Della Casa singing Vilja and the Merry Widow Waltz, once again in English, with her individual timbre complete with her usual melancholy tones plus simply exquisite top notes, no strain at all. Della Casa has a distinct and charming (natural, of course) Swiss-German accent mainly evident in the Waltz she sings & hums with John Reardon.

In between we find Tucker singing one of the sacrileges of the re-constructed English lyrics, Zeller's "Roses from Tyrol", it misses the originals dialectic charm, "Schenkt man sich Rosen in Tyrol" does not translate somehow as "In the Tyroler lover knows the special promise of a rose for every blosom that you send swears that your love will never end.......". But the singing is so lovely and the last top note bewitchingly floated you forget the quibbles.

The tempos are leisurely but never quite pure schmalz, even in the Grieg' Song of Norway.

The worst lyric irritation I found to be Heuberger's "Im Chambre separee" as "in our seculded rendevue." English instead of German and French as well as being sung by a tenor, for which it may well have been written but here it lacks the soprano accompaniment. I prefer this as two soprano voices in the original sprachen. The text here really is not well matched to the notes though Tucker fits the syllable's across octaves where necessary, swallowing others that can't be fitted in. Again he finishes on an amazing high note floated literally into the distance.

I am amazed how Allers & Tucker make the Romberg piece sound like an operratic version of Rawhide. I adore Hadley & Swenson in "Stranger in Paradise" as well as the others, especially the rare Della Casa and as I type this I am listening to it all on the computer's CD player for the N'th time since I unwrapped my considerably less than 10 bucks worth.

Tracks:

Otello: Act IV: Era piu calmo?
Otello: Act IV: Mia madre aveva una povera ancella (Willow Song - Lied von der Weide - Romance du saule)
Otello: Act IV: Ave Maria
Fidelio Act I:: Abscheulicher!
Senza mamma, o bimbo, tu sei morto!
Carmen: Act 1: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera)
La traviata: Act 1: E strano, e strano!
La traviata: Act 1: Ah, fors'e lui
La traviata: Act 1: Sempre libera
Le nozze di Figaro: Act 1: E Susanna non vien!
Le nozze di Figaro: Act 1: Dove sono
Die agyptische Helena: Act II: Arie der Helena - Awakening Scene - Scene de reveil
La rondine: Act 1: Ore dolci e divine
Salome: Finale - Final Scene - Scene finale

Tracks:

Eugene Onegin: Act II Letter Scene - Briefszene - Scene de la lettre: Puskai pogibnu ya
Eugene Onegin: Act II Letter Scene - Briefszene - Scene de la lettre: Ya k vam pishu
Eugene Onegin: Act II Letter Scene - Briefszene - Scene de la lettre: Net, nikomu na svete
Eugene Onegin: Act II Letter Scene - Briefszene - Scene de la lettre: No tak i byt'!
La rondine: Act I: Chi il bel sogno di Doretta
Vanessa: Act I: He Has Come, He Has Come!
Vanessa: Act I: Do Not Utter A Word
Carmen: Act 1: Pres des remparts de Seville
Manon: Act II: Allons! il le faut!
Manon: Act II: Adieu, norte petite table
Macbeth: Act IV Sleepwalking Scene - Schlafwandlerszene - Scene di Somnambulisme: Vegliammo invan due notti
Macbeth: Act IV Sleepwalking Scene - Schlafwandlerszene - Scene di Somnambulisme: Una macchia e qui tuttora
La Boheme: Act III: Addio Donde leita usci (Mimi's Addio)
Die Frau ohne Schatten: Act II: Erwachensszene der Kaiserin - Empress's Awakening Scene - Reveil de l'Imperatrice
Dido And Aeneas: Act III: Thy Hand, Belinda
Dido And Aeneas: Act III: When I Am Laid In Earth
Don Carlo: Act V: Tu che le vanita conoscesti del mondo

Amazon.com

This is the desert island two-CD set, if you're looking for Leontyne. The selection is astounding: Highlights are the astonishing Awakening Scene from R. Strauss's Die Ägyptische Helena, an absolute object lesson in Straussian line, arching up to and over a gorgeous high D-flat; a Traviata "Sempre Libera" with amazing agility (and top notes, again) for such a big voice; a "Senza mamma" which is heartbreakingly lovely; and still--after thirty years--the benchmark "Sogno di Doretta" from Puccini's La Rondine. The occasional minus--breathiness, a hollow lower register, lack of interest and intellect, and a truly disgusting Carmen--are to be forgiven. Price never sang any of these roles onstage and may not have been suited for them--but in a way, this is what she was all about. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

fantastic.......2002-09-21

leontyne price is to me the greatest diva of all time

fantastic.......2002-09-21

leontyne price is to me the greatest diva of all time

Music Review: