R. Strauss Recommendations?

[Carey]

This should be pretty easy: what we be the *first* disc you'd suggest for someone who has only Reiner's Zarathustra and Ein Heldenleben CD?

Thanks-


CW

[Bozo]

>On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 12:02:14 PM UTC-6, Carey wrote:
> This should be pretty easy: what we be the *first* disc you'd suggest for someone who has only Reiner's >Zarathustra and Ein Heldenleben CD?

Schwarzkopf / Szell EMI cd of the " Four Last Songs" and " Twelve Orchestral Songs."

[cooper...@gmail.com]

Easy: http://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-12221/. Copies from Amazon sellers for less than $15 for the 6-CD set.

Supplement with https://www.amazon.com/Strauss-Complete-Music-Wind-Ensemble/dp/B004YP3TNM.

And then https://www.amazon.com/Strauss-Four-Songs-Orchestral-Isokoski/dp/B000062TDA.

After that, to Rosenkavalier....

AC

[wkasimer]

On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 1:44:12 PM UTC-5, Bozo wrote:

> Schwarzkopf / Szell EMI cd of the " Four Last Songs" and " Twelve Orchestral Songs."

Ick.

Instead, you might try this disc:

https://www.amazon.com/Strauss-R-Verklärung-Metamorphosen-Songs/dp/B000VA51FS

Not only do you get a better performance of the VLL (although not my favorite), but you also get Metamorphosen, one of Strauss' most beautiful works. Tod und Verklarung is a bonus; you can also get the VLL and Metamorphosen coupled with the Oboe Concerto:

https://www.amazon.com/Strauss-R-Songs-Metamorphoses-Concerto/dp/B003UMN5D4

If you must have the VLL with other orchestral songs, try Soile Isokoski:

https://www.amazon.com/Strauss-Four-Songs-Orchestral-Isokoski/dp/B000062TDA

[graham]

That awful, over-rated honker? Yuck!

[Bastian Kubis]

On 12/20/2016 07:02 PM, Carey wrote:
> This should be pretty easy: what we be the *first* disc you'd suggest for someone who has only Reiner's Zarathustra and Ein Heldenleben CD?

For me, "Salome" and "Elektra" are his best/most interesting music (by
quite some distance), so if opera is an option, try the former, the
probably slightly more accessible of the two. Karajan's recording on
EMI would be my recommendation for a start.

[If orchestral is what you want, I agree with the recommendation of the
Kempe box, which is so cheap (and so good throughout) it doesn't really
make sense to start with a single disc elsewhere.]

Bastian

[3Bs]

On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 12:02:14 PM UTC-6, Carey wrote:

> This should be pretty easy: what we be the *first* disc you'd suggest for someone who has only Reiner's Zarathustra and Ein Heldenleben CD?

Well, I once owned Kempe's Don Juan and Heldenleben on a single disc. If we have to forget Heldenleben, that's fine. His Don Juan is a master class in flexible conducting, and as far as I'm concerned, has never been bettered.

[Ed Presson]

"Bozo" wrote in message
news:e01d62b9-822b-42a9...@googlegroups.com...

I also recommend this; although many listeners don't.

[Orchman]

On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 1:02:14 PM UTC-5, Carey wrote:

> This should be pretty easy: what we be the *first* disc you'd suggest for someone who has only Reiner's Zarathustra and Ein Heldenleben CD? >>>>

Don Juan [1960]/Don Quixote - Reiner/CSO

[Carey]

Thanks for all the recommendations. I will probably get the Kempe box; that seems
like a no-brainer. Probably not ready for the operas, but will keep them in mind
for later. What I was really trying to get at, apparently not clearly enough,
was the single disc people most treasure among Strauss (orchestral) recordings.

Any opinions on William Steinberg's Strauss, or Karl Böhm's? And any favorites for Metamorphosen?



CW

[Raymond Hall]

Whilst I would always recommend Kempe for a complete set of Richard Strauss, I've recently come to admire Maazel much more (along with Bohm) two great Straussians, added to which Bohm also knew Strauss very well.

There is an inexpensive 5-CD Sony/RCA box containing the main orchestral works sans Don Juan and Le bourgeois, with Maazel and the Bav RSO in stunning sound, and where a lot of inner detail can be heard. One can supplement several works missing from this set with a 2-CD Eloquence of earlier recordings with Maazel/VPO.

I've never had much regard for HvK or for Reiner in Strauss, although Reiner made several good recordings with the CSO.

Another 2-CD Eloquence has Bohm/Dresden in Elektra. And for a single Alpine symphony, then Wit/Weimar Staatskapelle on Naxos is excellent.

Ray Hall, Taree

[cooper...@gmail.com]

Tough call on single most treasured, but possibly this one: https://www.amazon.com/Strauss-Quixote-Horn-Concerto-Juan/dp/B0000029XS.

Karajan is essential for Metamorphosen; for one that is excellent in a completely different way (and with an ideal coupling), try this one: https://www.amazon.com/Music-Strauss-Schoenberg-M%C3%A9tamorphoses-Transfigured/dp/B000H6SUEU (also available from BRO). You also might want to check out the septet version of Metamorphosen (Nash Ensemble)

AC

[Bob Harper]

For Metamorphosen:
https://www.amazon.com/Hindemith-Symphonic-Metamorphosis-Metamorphosen-Staatskapelle/dp/B004ZFU72M/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1482295592&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=suitner+strauss+metamorphosen

Bob Harper

[Terry]

Der Rosenkavalier, preferably on DVD, conducted by Carlos Kleiber. For CDs, his father's (Carlos', not Richard's) recording is as good as any, but I don't mind Bohm.

[Ricardo Jimenez]

On Wed, 21 Dec 2016 06:06:11 -0800 (PST), Terry <tlst...@tpg.com.au>
wrote:

The old Paul Czinner film of Rosenkavalier is now out on Bluray. It
remains not only a great introduction to Strauss, but to opera for
novices. I don't think Otto Edelmann's Baron Ochs has ever been
bettered.

[richard...@gmail.com]

Metamorphosen: Barbirolli, Klemperer. The first is 'deeply felt' with many JB trademarks.
Rosenkavalier: the Karajan Philharmonia Schwarzkopf film and EMI discs. After that try others, according to taste in singers and style.
I have Boehm, and its OK, but Kempe is better.

[stanpu...@gmail.com]

Kempe's Alpine Symphony w/ RoyalPhilharmonic reissued on Testament. Also Kempe did a Don Juan with the RPO for Reader's Digest now on Chesky. Pretre/BostonSO for Also Sprake on RCA and Munch/BSO for Till. I'd add, just as I was thinking about various recordings, Szell/Cleveland for Don, Till and Don Quixote.

Stan Punzel

[Mike Painter]

Not mentioned so far in this thread (at least that I read) are any of Herbert
Blomstedt's recordings, with both the San Francisco Symphony and the
Gewandhausorchester.

cheers,
Mike

[gggg...@gmail.com]

I don't want to sound petty, but didn't she lower FRUHLING?

[Al Eisner]

On Tue, 20 Dec 2016, cooper...@gmail.com wrote:

> Easy: http://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-12221/. Copies from Amazon
> sellers for less than $15 for the 6-CD set.

The Kempe/Dresden set I have (on Warner) has 9 CD's (most with times over 69
minutes). Is the above something different?

Al

[Bob Harper]

I believe the Brilliant is a straight reissue of the 9-CD EMI box (I
believe 6 is a misprint.

The Warner box is said to have been completely remastered from the
original tapes, and the few comparisons I've made for once convince me
that that is indeed the case. The Warner box is the best these
recordings are ever liable to sound, barring a Blu-Ray version.

Bob Harper

[laraine]

On Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 6:36:36 PM UTC-6, stanpu...@gmail.com wrote:
> Kempe's Alpine Symphony w/ RoyalPhilharmonic reissued on Testament. Also Kempe did a Don Juan with the RPO for Reader's Digest now on Chesky. Pretre/BostonSO for Also Sprake on RCA and Munch/BSO for Till. I'd add, just as I was thinking about various recordings, Szell/Cleveland for Don, Till and Don Quixote.
>
> Stan Punzel

R.Greenberg was giving a talk on 'Death and Transfiguration'
(Tod und Verklärung) tone poem. Sounded like something I
wanted to hear again. I'll note your recommendations as well,
for other tone poems, etc.

C.

[cooper...@gmail.com]

Yes, 9 CDs and afaik the Brilliant set (https://www.amazon.com/Richard-Strauss-Orchestral-Works/dp/B000BVXC7Q) is a straight reissue of the EMI. I was not aware of (and have not heard) the Warner re-re-issue (https://www.amazon.com/R-Strauss-Orchestral-Rudolf-Kempe/dp/B00FJZQRR6), but the reviews, including Bob's, make it clear that it's the way to go. Same insanely low price as the Brilliant set, too.

Am I the only one who thinks that the two late masterpieces for wind ensemble are essential Strauss?

AC

[Al Eisner]

Thanks. Yes, the Warner sounds very good (I haven't heard the earlier
incarnations except a few on radio, so I can't compare), and of course
some terrific performances. A few of the works are not first-rate to
my ears, but no matter, it's a great value. A minor complaint is that a
rather disorganized essay isn't a good substitute for real program notes.
--
Al Eisner

[jrsnfld]

On Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 7:30:54 PM UTC-8, cooper...@gmail.com wrote:

> Am I the only one who thinks that the two late masterpieces for wind ensemble are essential Strauss?
>
> AC

I'm glad you mentioned them.

I'm not sure I'd agree that any specific Strauss piece is essential Strauss, because he is so consistently interesting that one could ultimately just say, hear everything!

First of all, there's some repetition. If you've heard a couple of tone poems like Don Juan and Ein Heldenleben, you're not going to know that much more about Strauss by hearing Don Quixote and Death and Transfiguration. The reverse is also true. And if you know Salome, you won't learn that much more about Strauss by hearing Elektra. The works come in stylistic bunches. (If you've heard Elektra, it's probably more interesting to skip Salome, within the same "bunch," and hear Rosenkavalier or Ariadne next.)

That said, the key to approaching Strauss is sampling across his career, because Salome or Elektra won't tell you enough about Strauss that you can anticipate what it's like to hear Daphne or Arabella or Capriccio. And yes, nothing quite tells you what the wind Sonatinas are going to be like without hearing them. It is impossible to prepare for Metamorphosen or Four Last Songs by listening to early works, so yes, they're kind of "essential" too. The same is true in reverse chronology: you can hear Metamorphosen but know next to nothing about Also Sprach Zarathustra.

These late wind ensemble pieces are masterpieces and distinctive in his output--essential for wind enthusiasts, for sure. However, because they are distinctive, you can't really argue that one should hear them and not other works of his late period. Because they aren't particularly "representative," they're not "essential" for newbies.

The late wind sonatinas will surprise people raised on earlier Strauss works, like the first horn concerto, the early wind serenade, Don Juan and Also Sprach Zarathustra or Elektra. Strauss was always writing great music for winds, but in his later period his use of the winds just got better and better. That is a fundamental point for knowing Strauss, but I think just hearing, say Arabella gives you an inkling to how Strauss's scoring had not been completely codified by the time of Salome.

Another late work, the Oboe Concerto, is also a masterpiece and much needed companion if one is going to judge Strauss's last efforts. I feel almost as strongly about the second horn concerto, another great piece. Knowing the first horn concerto (and the Alpine Symphony!) is not enough if you want to appreciation Richard Strauss's close relationship to the horn.

--Jeff

[Bob Harper]

On 12/22/16 7:30 PM, cooper...@gmail.com wrote:
(snip)

> Am I the only one who thinks that the two late masterpieces for wind
> ensemble are essential Strauss?
>
> AC
>

Indeed you are not :) For me, the late orchestral music (the Couperin
Suite, 2nd Horn Concerto, Oboe Concerto, etc., etc.) are all marvelous.
Metamorphosen is something more--much more.

Bob Harper

[Bob Harper]

Agreed, completely.

Bob Harper

[Bozo]

FWW :

Anna Netrebko, Staatskapelle Dresden,Thielemann, live , June19,2016 at Vienna, Strauss’ “ Four Last Songs” :

http://www.rtbf.be/auvio/detail_lunch-concert?id=2173213

At about 36:00 into the programme ( Bronfman plays LvB # 3 first ).

[Carey]

My belated thanks to all who have given recommendations here. I have been unable to sign in to G Groups. Jeff, your detailed overview was especially helpful.
I've ordered the Kempe set, which might arrive this weekend.

Any recommendations (idiosyncrasy is welcome!) for what I might listen to first,
given that I've only heard the disc listed in the OP?

Thanks again.

-CW

[Gerard]

Op vrijdag 6 januari 2017 20:03:04 UTC+1 schreef Carey:

I suggest disc 1.
Maybe 3.

[wkasimer]

On Friday, January 6, 2017 at 2:03:04 PM UTC-5, Carey wrote:

> Any recommendations (idiosyncrasy is welcome!) for what I might listen to first, given that I've only heard the disc listed in the OP? <

Metamorphosen.

[Al Eisner]

Two excellent choices. Two of the best of the early tone poems are on
disc 1, as well as the Rosenkavalier suite; while Metamorphosen (on disc
3) is in a completely different world, and the sintermediate Alpensinfonie
is quite different from both. (Whatever you do, don't start with
the still-earlier "Aus Italien", a somewat-annoying pastiche.)
--
Al Eisner

[Gerard]

Op vrijdag 6 januari 2017 23:44:16 UTC+1 schreef Al Eisner:

Hm, I have the EMI box of 1999 (bought in 2002) with the early tone poems on disc 3, Metamorfosen and Alpensinfonie on disc 7, Rosenkavalier pieces on disc 5.
Actually, I was not very serious in this.

[Al Eisner]

On Fri, 6 Jan 2017, Gerard wrote:

> Op vrijdag 6 januari 2017 23:44:16 UTC+1 schreef Al Eisner:
>> On Fri, 6 Jan 2017, Gerard wrote:
>>
>>> Op vrijdag 6 januari 2017 20:03:04 UTC+1 schreef Carey:
>>>> My belated thanks to all who have given recommendations here. I have been unable to sign in to G Groups. Jeff, your detailed overview was especially helpful.
>>>> I've ordered the Kempe set, which might arrive this weekend.
>>>>
>>>> Any recommendations (idiosyncrasy is welcome!) for what I might listen to first,
>>>> given that I've only heard the disc listed in the OP?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks again.
>>>>
>>>> -CW
>>>
>>> I suggest disc 1.
>>> Maybe 3.
>>
>> Two excellent choices. Two of the best of the early tone poems are on
>> disc 1, as well as the Rosenkavalier suite; while Metamorphosen (on disc
>> 3) is in a completely different world, and the sintermediate Alpensinfonie
>> is quite different from both. (Whatever you do, don't start with
>> the still-earlier "Aus Italien", a somewat-annoying pastiche.)
>

> Hm, I have the EMI box of 1999 (bought in 2002) with the early tone poems on disc 3, Metamorfosen and Alpensinfonie on disc 7, Rosenkavalier pieces on disc 5.
> Actually, I was not very serious in this.

Shame! :)

In the Warner box (which I assume the OP has ordered), disc 1 includes
Zarathustra and Tod. So you got it right by pure accident!
--
Al Eisner

[Al Eisner]

On Fri, 23 Dec 2016, jrsnfld wrote:

> Another late work, the Oboe Concerto, is also a masterpiece and much
> needed companion if one is going to judge Strauss's last efforts. I
> feel almost as strongly about the second horn concerto, another great
> piece. Knowing the first horn concerto (and the Alpine Symphony!) is
> not enough if you want to appreciation Richard Strauss's close
> relationship to the horn.
>
> --Jeff

Our resident oboist didn't bring up the rather fascinating American
feel-good story of the genesis and eventual U.S. premiere of the Oboe
Concerto. Condensed versions can be found both in wikipedia and (a
bit less condensed) at https://www.britannica.com/topic/Oboe-Concerto
--
Al Eisner

[Andy Evans]

Personally, I listen to Strauss for his vocal music. Check out collections of his songs. I have a playlist on Youtube which contains:
Ileana Cotrubas (4 Last Songs)
Annaliese Rothenberger
Soile Isokoski
Jesse Norman
Elizabeth Schwarzkopf
Diana Damrau

Favourites are Allerseelen, Zueignung, Standchen, Ruhe Meine Seele, Cecilie, Morgen, Das Rosenband, Meinem Kinde, Wiegenlied, Winterweihe, Die Heiligen Drei Königen. I wouldn't be without any of these. I prefer the orchestral versions as above, particularly Rothenberger. With the exception of Standchen which has a wonderful piano part.


Of the operas, I like Ariadne and Elektra, and Frau Ohne Schatten once in a while.

And of course the Metamorphosen. Don't listen to his orchestral works.

[Lawrence Kart]

On Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 12:45:21 PM UTC-6, dk wrote:

> On Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 6:36:09 AM UTC-8, Andy Evans wrote:
> >
> > Personally, I listen to Strauss for his vocal music.
> > Check out collections of his songs. I have a playlist
> > on Youtube which contains:
> >
> > Ileana Cotrubas (4 Last Songs)
> > Annaliese Rothenberger
> > Soile Isokoski
> > Jesse Norman
> > Elizabeth Schwarzkopf
> > Diana Damrau
>

> How do you like Anneliese Rothenberger?
> IMHO one of the most underrated singers.
>
> dk

Thanks for the tip. Just checked out Rothenberger -- marvelous. She's totally THERE, not a hint of archness.

Larry Kart

[Lawrence Kart]

On Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 12:45:21 PM UTC-6, dk wrote:
> On Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 6:36:09 AM UTC-8, Andy Evans wrote:
> >

> > Personally, I listen to Strauss for his vocal music.
> > Check out collections of his songs. I have a playlist
> > on Youtube which contains:
> >
> > Ileana Cotrubas (4 Last Songs)
> > Annaliese Rothenberger
> > Soile Isokoski
> > Jesse Norman
> > Elizabeth Schwarzkopf
> > Diana Damrau
>

> How do you like Anneliese Rothenberger?
> IMHO one of the most underrated singers.
>
> dk

Thanks for the tip. Just checked out her Four Last Songs on You Tube. Marvelous. She's totally THERE, not a hint of archness.

Larry Kart

[meyers...@gmail.com]

On Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 1:45:21 PM UTC-5, dk wrote:
> On Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 6:36:09 AM UTC-8, Andy Evans wrote:
> >

> > Personally, I listen to Strauss for his vocal music.
> > Check out collections of his songs. I have a playlist
> > on Youtube which contains:
> >
> > Ileana Cotrubas (4 Last Songs)
> > Annaliese Rothenberger
> > Soile Isokoski
> > Jesse Norman
> > Elizabeth Schwarzkopf
> > Diana Damrau
>

> How do you like Anneliese Rothenberger?
> IMHO one of the most underrated singers.
>
> dk

I'm not sure I would call her underrated - she had a long and successful career, recordings, was immensely popular esp in Europe where she also had a television show

[Johannes Roehl]

Because of that show and her general popularity she became in her later years mostly associated with operetta which might have led to a skewed perspective and underrating in the more "serious" stuff. I dimly remember her on German TV in my childhood in the 1980s.

[meyers...@gmail.com]

On Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 3:26:11 PM UTC-5, dk wrote:

> On Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 12:08:41 PM UTC-8, meyers...@gmail.com wrote:
> > On Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 1:45:21 PM UTC-5, dk wrote:
> > > On Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 6:36:09 AM UTC-8, Andy Evans wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Personally, I listen to Strauss for his vocal music.
> > > > Check out collections of his songs. I have a playlist
> > > > on Youtube which contains:
> > > >
> > > > Ileana Cotrubas (4 Last Songs)
> > > > Annaliese Rothenberger
> > > > Soile Isokoski
> > > > Jesse Norman
> > > > Elizabeth Schwarzkopf
> > > > Diana Damrau
> > >
> > > How do you like Anneliese Rothenberger?
> > > IMHO one of the most underrated singers.
> >

> > I'm not sure I would call her underrated -
> > she had a long and successful career,
> > recordings, was immensely popular esp in
> > Europe where she also had a television show
>

> Presently underrated or under-remembered.
>
> dk
I saw her Lulu in Hamburg and she was wonderful. Perhaps under-appreciated would be true - she was much more than a soubrette

[MickeyBoy]

> > > > > How do you like Anneliese Rothenberger?
> > > > > IMHO one of the most underrated singers.
> > > >

> Good looking too: http://tinyurl.com/hrw7hv4

Good looking is good. How about simply gorgeous?

https://goo.gl/BftniV

[Bob Harper]

On 1/8/17 8:44 AM, MickeyBoy wrote:
(snip)

>
> Good looking is good. How about simply gorgeous?
>
> https://goo.gl/BftniV
>
>

About whom Fritz Reiner is alleged to have said, at the time she
recorded the Mahler 4th with him, "Lisa, you're not a singer, you're a
musician!"

And yes, she was gorgeous.

Bob Harper

[gggg...@gmail.com]

If she was underappreciated, it's only because there was no lack of competition during her career for the roles that she sang.

However, when it came to versatility, what Lulu also sang Mozart?

Not to mention Strauss. Didn't no less than Lotte Lehmann say that Rothenberger's Sophie was simply the best Lehmann had ever seen?

[gggg...@gmail.com]

Concerning Della Casa AND Rothenberger, you can see them both in a live performance of the ARABELLA duet "Aber der Richtige" by searching the following on Youtube:

Sister-Act: Arabella, "Aber der Richtige"

[Jim Paul]

On Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 11:52:12 PM UTC-8, gggg...@gmail.com wrote:

> However, when it came to versatility, what Lulu also sang Mozart?
>

Lots.

[gggg...@gmail.com]

Not everybody was crazy about it:

- Previn had previously recorded these songs in London, with Anneliese Rothenberger, a bit past her prime.

http://www.oocities.org/rmlibonati/vocal.html

- There is a slightly quavery, shallow quality to Miss Rothenberger's voice that is not ideally suited to the calm rapture of the Four Last Songs.

https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&hl=en&q=rothenberger+%22asd+3082%22

[gggg...@gmail.com]

Didn't they perform Arabella at the Met in English?

[gggg...@gmail.com]

On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 8:02:14 AM UTC-10, Carey wrote:
> This should be pretty easy: what we be the *first* disc you'd suggest for someone who has only Reiner's Zarathustra and Ein Heldenleben CD?
>
> Thanks-
>
>
> CW

According to the following:

- [The first complete commercial recording of Ariadne auf Naxos] is not representative of [Rita Streich] at all.

http://www.divalegacy.com/php/main_pages.php?CategoryID=2&AuthorID=1&ID=10

[Lawrence Kart]

Now have the Rothenberger-Previn LSO "Four Last Songs." Best I've ever heard, and I've heard many -- can't stand the cooing/mewling Schwarzkopf-Szell, for one. The freedom of Rothenberger's "top" is not to be believed, remarkable how many of those notes Schwarzkopf more or less fudges. Interpretively, as I said above, Rothenberger is just "there" -- no need to put extra spin on the ball. Interestingly, in that respect, I find myself only glancing at the translations; the vividness of the performance pretty much tells me what the poems are saying. That Eichendorff! Only problem --on my (used but seemingly clean) Electrola CD the orchestral sound lacks ambience for an early '70s recording, is a bit edgy/ treble-y.

LK

[AcousticLevitation.org]

I don't think I've seen anyone recommend my favorite Four Last Songs: Gundula Janowitz with Karajan. It's be repackaged many ways, including with Death and Transfiguration and also the Oboe Cto on a DG Galleria Edition and on a DG Originals, Just the 4 Last + Death. The songs are also available on a Decca CD: Gundula Janowitz 'The Singers," coupled with non-Strauss opera arias.

There's something about her voice in this performance that gives me the chills and also bring tears rto me eyes every time.

Steve Koenig

[vmartell]

On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 1:51:47 PM UTC-8, dk wrote:
> On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 11:38:56 AM UTC-8, wkasimer wrote:
> > On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 1:44:12 PM UTC-5, Bozo wrote:
> >
> > > Schwarzkopf / Szell EMI cd of the " Four Last Songs" and " Twelve Orchestral Songs."
> >
> > Ick.
>
> For Szell?
> For Schwarzkopf?
> For the orchestra?
> For the recording?
>
> dk

If I could fault anything is the recording itself - even for its time, is a bit on the less bodied side - that said, a 4 last songs for the ages...

One of the R. Strauss recordings any fan must have.

v

[Bob Harper]

Yes, it's a very special recording. Her voice has a silvery clarity that
is unequaled to my ears.

Bob Harper

[wkasimer]

On Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 2:09:51 PM UTC-5, AcousticLevitation.org wrote:

> I don't think I've seen anyone recommend my favorite Four Last Songs: Gundula Janowitz with Karajan. It's be repackaged many ways, including with Death and Transfiguration and also the Oboe Cto on a DG Galleria Edition and on a DG Originals, Just the 4 Last + Death. The songs are also available on a Decca CD: Gundula Janowitz 'The Singers," coupled with non-Strauss opera arias. <

There's also another Janowitz recording with Haitink, that was included in the Janowitz Original Masters box. It's better recorded than the Karajan, but the final song is really too fast for my taste.

[wkasimer]

On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 4:51:47 PM UTC-5, dk wrote:

> > > Schwarzkopf / Szell EMI cd of the " Four Last Songs" and " Twelve Orchestral Songs."
> >
> > Ick.
>
> For Szell?
> For Schwarzkopf?
> For the orchestra?
> For the recording?

Schwarzkopf deserves all of the blame.

[Andy Evans]

I could do with some opera recommendations. So far I'm listening to:

Frau Ohne Schatten - Jurowski on YT with the wonderful Jane Henschel
Elektra - Sinopoli with Marc as Elektra. I can't take Eva Marton's voice in any shape or form. Nilsson is...well, Nilsson.
Arabella - could do with a recommendation here. It's a wonderful opera.
Capriccio - likewise.

Not sure about the other operas - not a big fan of Salome or Rosenkavalier.

[Juan I. Cahis]

Dear friends:

If you like Strauss choral music, don't forget "Die Tageszeiten". They are
as beautiful as the Four Last Songs but for choir and orchestra. Look for
Marek Janowski as Conductor, but they are good recordings conducted by
others too.

--
Enviado desde mi iPad usando NewsTap, Juan I. Cahis, Santiago de Chile.

[cooper...@gmail.com]

So nice to hear from you, Juan! My son came back from one of his regular trips to Santiago last week. I agree about Strauss' choral music: wonderful. My only complaint about Janowski's Tageszeiten is the coupling (the work, not the performance). I'd recommend the inexpensive 3-CD set on Warner called "The Other Strauss," which includes excellent performances of Tageszeiten and well as the sublime Deutsche Motetten.

Alan

[Andy Evans]

> > If you like Strauss choral music, don't forget "Die Tageszeiten". They are
> > as beautiful as the Four Last Songs but for choir and orchestra. Look for
> > Marek Janowski as Conductor, but they are good recordings conducted by
> > others too.
> >
>

> So nice to hear from you, Juan! My son came back from one of his regular trips to Santiago last week. I agree about Strauss' choral music: wonderful. My only complaint about Janowski's Tageszeiten is the coupling (the work, not the performance). I'd recommend the inexpensive 3-CD set on Warner called "The Other Strauss," which includes excellent performances of Tageszeiten and well as the sublime Deutsche Motetten.
> > Alan

Thanks for the tips. I've been listening to Daphne and Friedenstag today. I think I'm more in sympathy with late Strauss than early Strauss.

[Edward A. Cowan]

I saw and heard Rothenberger in Lulu with the Hamburg company at the MET in the summer of 1967. (This was the two-act version, which the company also recorded for EMI (7243 5 66619 2 9, two CDs), cond. Leopold Ludwig. I also heard Rothenberger with DFD in Philadelphia, singing duets from Arabella. The CD recording of Lulu has substantially the same cast as the HAMBURG/MET performance. Since this is (P) 1997, it is probably NLA. (Perhaps the new owner of the EMI recordings will reissue it, but don't hold your breath!) --E.A.C.

[Lawrence Kart]

Delighted by Rothenberger's "Four Last Songs," I was nosing around in "Song on Record," where Michael Kennedy doesn't much like Rothenberger's version, and noticed his somewhat bemused response to Leontyne Price's version -- somewhat bemused because he kind of thinks he shouldn't like it because it's not really Straussian (MK's ideal there, as is the case with many others, probably would be Janowitz], but finally feels overwhelmed by the emotional intensity and sheer vocalism of Price. I listened to Price on YouTube, also felt overwhelmed, and it's now on its way to me. The disc also contains a key scene from "Frau Ohne Schatten" that also is said to be remarkable in Price's hands.

Larry Kart

[meyers...@gmail.com]

She also recorded an incredible Awakening Scene from Die Aegyptische Helena on the same Lp as the final scene from Salome with Leinsdorf. I think the recording followed live concert performances

[gggg...@gmail.com]

How is her recording w/Karajan?:

http://canariasesmusica.blogspot.com/2014/06/richard-strauss-150-anniversary-vier_2944.html

[gggg...@gmail.com]

On Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 10:29:42 AM UTC-10, wkasimer wrote:

Has Della Casa's recording been mentioned?

[Oscar]

On Friday, January 20, 2017 at 12:22:49 AM, gggg wrote:
> On Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 10:29:42 AM, wkasimer wrote:

> > On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 4:51:47 PM, dk wrote:
> >
> > > > Schwarzkopf / Szell EMI cd of the Four Last Songs and Twelve Orchestral Songs.
> > >
> > > Ick.
> >

> > Schwarzkopf deserves all of the blame.
>
> Has Della Casa's recording been mentioned?

My favorite Four Last Songs recording is Della Casa's. It belongs in every aficionado's collection. Here is the Decca Legends remastered CD from 2000, still available http://amzn.to/2iRy1zT

[gggg...@gmail.com]

On Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 9:24:16 AM UTC-10, Lawrence Kart wrote:
> On Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 11:12:10 PM UTC-6, Edward A. Cowan wrote:
> > I saw and heard Rothenberger in Lulu with the Hamburg company at the MET in the summer of 1967. (This was the two-act version, which the company also recorded for EMI (7243 5 66619 2 9, two CDs), cond. Leopold Ludwig. I also heard Rothenberger with DFD in Philadelphia, singing duets from Arabella. The CD recording of Lulu has substantially the same cast as the HAMBURG/MET performance. Since this is (P) 1997, it is probably NLA. (Perhaps the new owner of the EMI recordings will reissue it, but don't hold your breath!) --E.A.C.
> >
> > On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 12:02:14 PM UTC-6, Carey wrote:
> > > This should be pretty easy: what we be the *first* disc you'd suggest for someone who has only Reiner's Zarathustra and Ein Heldenleben CD?
> > >
> > > Thanks-
> > >
> > >
> > > CW
>

> Delighted by Rothenberger's "Four Last Songs," I was nosing around in "Song on Record,"...

Concerning VOLUME 2 of that book, if you want to laugh, see what it says about Streisand's APRES ON REVE:

https://books.google.com/books?id=MPHLcCCl2GgC&pg=PA59&dq=streisand+%22heavy+breathing%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjBnpzop9DRAhVBUmMKHeAXBlMQ6AEIPzAH#v=snippet&q=%22for%20erotic%20excess%22&f=false

[Andy Evans]

> My favorite Four Last Songs recording is Della Casa's. It belongs in every aficionado's collection. Here is the Decca Legends remastered CD from 2000, still available http://amzn.to/2iRy1zT

I'd put in a good word for Ileana Contrubas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PZpEz2lA-0

[Lawrence Kart]

I also liked the line from a survey (by David Hamilton IIRC) of "Bluebeard's Castle" recordings in one of the "Opera on Record" books (2 or 3):

"A friend said after a NY Philharmonic concert with Boulez and Contrubas, 'Sony should have released the Fifth Door as a single.'

Larry Kart

[gggg...@gmail.com]

In the future, if she ever includes that on a compilation cd called BEDDY-BYE WITH BARBRA, maybe she should retitle that:

- After A WET Dream

[gggg...@gmail.com]

On Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 10:20:03 PM UTC-10, Jim Paul wrote:
> On Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 11:52:12 PM UTC-8, gggg...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> > However, when it came to versatility, what Lulu also sang Mozart?
> >
>
> Lots.


I have often wondered if all those sopranos who chose to do LULU did so less to show off their voices and more to show off their legs:

https://www.google.com/search?site=&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=662&q=berg+lulu&oq=berg+lulu&gs_l=img.3..0j0i5i30k1j0i24k1l8.302.1553.0.1757.10.9.0.0.0.0.290.1284.0j4j3.7.0....0...1ac.1.64.img..3.7.1279.0..0i30k1j0i8i30k1.YRezCUVYATM

[gggg gggg]

On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 10:02:14 AM UTC-8, Carey wrote:
> This should be pretty easy: what we be the *first* disc you'd suggest for someone who has only Reiner's Zarathustra and Ein Heldenleben CD?
>
> Thanks-
>
>
> CW

Didn't Hurwitz say that the best ARIADNE... was Kempe's recording?