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Elly Ameling now more available
Delight in every note
While they last...
Treasures From a Treasure
More than fully earned praise for an exceptional singer.

Artistry of Elly Ameling (Coll)
Elly Ameling
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Elly Ameling ~ Schubert · Schumann - Songs
Philips and Decca Recordings, 1961-1979 (Limited Edition)
Fauré - Mélodies / Souzay · Ameling · Baldwin
The Very Best of Lucia Popp
Ave Maria--Lieder

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

I had a 33 rpm album of Elly Ameling singing Schubert lieder accompanied by piano and clarinet at times. It was one of my all time favorite albums so I have been disappointed that I have not been able to find it anywhere on CD.

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

To speak as briefly as possible about this superb collection from an equally superb singer, what can I say but that Ms Ameling possessed a voice that shone with radiant warmth and star-like shimmer? And unlike many another light lyric soprano, Elly Ameling was possessed of a very high standard of musicianship, considerable intelligence, and a sort of immediate charm that captivates the listener.

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

Elly Ameling held the quiet stage for recitals of great artistry and dignity for several decades and sadly most of the enormously successful CDs of her long career output are now unavailable. For those who have little access to the documentation of this very special artist, this box set is a must. It is a compilation of many of her recordings with differing accompanists, conductors, orchestras and composers. And while not all of the choices for inclusion here would be considered her greatest moments, there are enough works that sustain the warm memories of the little Dutch hausfrau who quietly and simply paid homage to composers with her clear and intelligent musicianship and radiant voice.

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

Treasures from a Treasure.

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

As I had the privilige of hearing this outstanding Lied-singer during her long career in Holland and being the proud possessor of almost all her recordings, I cannot but fully agree with the professional and joyful review of Mr. Robert Holliston from Victoria, B.C. Canada.
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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A Major Document of an Incredible Oeuvre...

Schubert: Lieder

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Schubert: The Piano Sonatas
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas
The Schubert Song Companion
Schubert: Schwanengesang; 4 Lieder
Schubert: The String Quartets

ASIN: B000AYQCIK
Release Date: 2005-12-13

Customer Reviews:

A Major Document of an Incredible Oeuvre..........2007-03-12

.
Of over 600 songs, Fischer-Dieskau and Gerald Moore realized over three-quarters: these are those. Gerald Moore was of course as important to this project as Fischer-Dieskau.

DGG's sound is excellent.

This set is a remarkable document of art.
.

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Christmas Adagios
christmas adagios
Nice Background for the Holidays
One of my very top 5 favorite holiday albums!
Wonderful POCOCAT?

Christmas Adagios

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

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

Wedding Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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#1 Christmas Album
The Ultimate Relaxation Christmas Album 2
The Ultimate Relaxation Christmas Album
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Cello Adagios

ASIN: B00005NY7D
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

O Holy Night - Leontyne Price
Ave Maria - Luciano Pavarotti
In The Bleak Midwinter - Rosemary Joshua/Ian Bostridge
Coventry Carol - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/David Willcocks
Away In A Manger - Mark Tinkler
Gabriel's Message - The Choir And Orchestra Of Clare College, Cambridge
Pastoral Sinfonia - Academy Of St Martin In The Fields/Neville Marriner
Il S'en Va Loin De La Terre - Acadamy And Chorus Of St Martin In The Fields/Neville Marriner
Panis Angelicus - Kiri Te Kanawa
Schlafe, Mein Liebster - Marilyn Horne
Wiegenlied - Renata Tabaldi
O Jesu So Meek - Simon Preston
While Shepherds Watched - Stephen Cleobury
Susser Trost, Mein Jesus Kommt - Agnes Giebel
Lute Concerto, RV 93: Largo - Eduardo Fernandez
Alma Redemptoris Mater - Julian Podger
O Magnum Mysterium - John Angelo Messana
Zastupnitse Userdnaya - St Petersburgh Chamber Choir/Nikolai Korniev
Iubi-Te-voi (I Will Love Thee, O Lord) - Angela Gheorghiu/Romanian National CHamber Choir 'Madrigal'/Constantin Marin
Once In Royal David's City - Robin Barter/David Briggs
O Tannenbaum - Vienna Boys Choir/Uwe Christian Harrer
O Little Town Of Bethlehem - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/David Willcocks

Tracks:

Stille Nacht - The Bach Choir/David Willcockes
Gloria In Excelsis Deo - Katherine Fuge/Nicola Jenkin/Elinor Carter/Julian Podger
Winter, RV 297: Largo - Alan Loveday
The First Nowell - The Choir Of Kings College, Cambridge/David Willcocks
In Dulci Jubilo - The Bach Choir/David Willcocks
The Three Kings - Gerald Finley
Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprungen - Monteverdi Choir
Still, Still, Still - Ian Bostridge
The Crown Of Roses - The Choir Of Clare College, Cambridge/John Rutter
Christmas Concerto, Op.6 No.8: Largo Pastorale - Academy Of Saint Martin In The Fields/Neville Marriner
The Lamb - Monteverdi Choir/John Eliot Gardiner
Balulalow - Anthony Way/Lucy Wakeford/St Paul's Cathedral Choir/John Scott
Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
Mille Cherubini In Coro - Luciano Pavarotti
Vesperae Solennes De Confessore, K.339: Laudate Dominum - Kiri Te Kanawa
The Infant King - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/David Willcocks
Lullaby My Jesus - The Choir Of Winchester Cathedral/David Hill
What Child Is This? - Anthony Way/Tom Finucane
The Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle - L'Orchestra De La Suisse Romande/Richard Bonynge
See Amid The Winter's Snow - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge/David Willcocks
The Blessed Son Of God - The Choir Of Winchester Cathedral/David Hill
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear - Leontyne Price
White Christmas - Kiri Te Kanawa/London Voices

Customer Reviews:

Christmas Adagios.......2007-03-03

This is the BEST Christmas collection that I have ever heard. I would like
to purchase 15 more to give as gifts this year; however, it appears that
Decca is out of stock or no longer releasing it. HELP!!

christmas adagios.......2007-01-14

this was one of the best assortment of classical holiday songs that i have ever heard. it contains a marvelous array of the best composers and performers that the world has to offer. if you are a fan of classical music, i think this cd will be a positive addition to your music collection

Nice Background for the Holidays.......2007-01-11

Beautiful Adagios and a rich selection for the price. Audio travels to Vienna, London, Cambridge etc

One of my very top 5 favorite holiday albums!.......2005-11-19

What a delightful surprise this 2 disc album was and I'm not a big fan of Christmas music. I loved all the selections and felt they were well performed. This is a true "must have" for any Christmas collection. Superior to many other compliations on the market. This one is a keeper! It is the one album I'll pick first to listen to after Thanksgiving.

Wonderful POCOCAT?.......2005-07-16

Great CD. The reviewer who calls him/herself POCOCAT says he/she is an opera singer. Wonder how much work an uninformed singer gets?
A "fast spinning" vibrato,as you describe Ms. Price, is not the same as a wide vibrato. The former is a speed issue, the latter a width issue. Therefore, 4 variables exist: fast, slow, wide, slim. Thus, 4 types of voice exist: fast/wide, fast/slim, slow/wide, and slow/slim. Most often a singer leans toward fast/slim or slow/wide, in varying degrees. A matter of taste, yes, but learn more about the voice before you expound.

Average customer rating:

Correction
Fritz Wunderlich can do no wrong....
The Wonder of Wunderlich
I wish I could give this release more than 5 stars: it's terrific!!!

The Art of Fritz Wunderlich

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

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Similar Items:

The Magic of Wunderlich [Includes Bonus DVD]
Fritz Wunderlich: Great German Tenor
Schumann: Dichterliebe / Wunderlich, Giesen
Schubert: Die Schöne Müllerin, 3 Lieder / Fritz Wunderlich
Very Best of

ASIN: B0009PLMQW
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Duetto And Chorus: Kommt, Eilet Und Laufet
Aria: Sanfte Soll Mein Todeskummer
Recitative And Chorale: O Schmerz! Hier Zittert Das Gequalte Herz
Aria With Chorus: Ich Will Bei Meinem Jesu Wachen
Recitative: Mein Jesus Schweigt Zu Falschen Lugen Stille
Aria: Geduld!
Duet: Et Misericordia
Aria: Deposuit Potentes
Recitative: So Stehe Denn, Du Gottergeb'ne Seele
Aria: Adam Muss In Uns Verwesen
Chorus: Jauchzet, Frohlocket, Auf, Preiset Die Tage
Recitative: Es Begab Sich Aber Zu Der Zeit
Aria: Frohe Hirten, Eilt, Ach Eilet
Aria: Ich Will Nur Dir Zu Ehren Leben
Recitative: Und Liess Versammeln Alle Hohenpriester
Terzetto: Ach! Wann Wird Die Zeit Erscheinen
Recitative: Und Gott Befahl Ihnen Im Traum-Genug, Mein Schatz Geht Nicht Von Hier
Aria: Nun Mogt Ihr Stolzen Feinde Schrecken

Tracks:

Overture
Aria: Hier Soll Ich Dich Denn Sehen
Recitative And Aria: Konstanze, Dich Wiederzusehen, Dich!/O Wie Angstlich, O Wie Feurig
Aria: Wenn Der Freude Tranen Fliessen
Quartet: Ach! Belmonte! Ach, Mein Leben!
Aria: Ich Baue Ganz Auf Deine Starke
Recitative And Aria: Welch Ein Geschick!/Wie, Du Solltest Fur Mich Sterben!
Aria: Dies Bildnis Ist Bezaubernd Schon
Zum Ziele Fuhrt Dich Diese Bahn
Wie Stark Ist Nicht Dein Zauberton
Der Welcher Wandert Diese Strasse Vol Beschwerden
Tamino Mein! O Welch Ein Gluck!

Tracks:

Duet: Strahlt Auf Mich Der Blitz Des Goldes - Hermann Prey
Duet: Hier Nimm Den Ring Der Treue
Scene And Duet: Ich Denk Ihn Lieber Mir Von Meinem Stande/Liebe Ist Seligkeit, Ist Licht Und Leben
Toast: O Freunde, So Leeret In Vollen Zugen - Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Duet: Ich Sah Euch Lieblich Und Engelsschon - Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Duet: O, Lass Uns Fliehen Aus Diesen Mauern - Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Scene And Duet: er Ist's! Carlos! Mein PRinz!/Gott, Der Entflammte Der Liebe Heisse Glut - Hermann Prey
Duet: Infame Feder! Welch Scheusslicher Pinsel/Ach, Geliebte! Nie Kehrst Du mir Wieder! - Hermann Prey
Aria: Und Es Blitzten Die Sterne
Scene: Nicht An Mich, Geliebter, Denke
Duet: Du Sussester Engel, Wie Herrlich Hast Du Geteufelt!
Leukippos, Du?
Arioso: Ja, Ich Lieb Sie, Olga
Aria: Wohin Seid Ihr Entschwunden

Tracks:

Recitative And Arioso: Holdes Laubgezewig, Du Schones/Schattige Ruh, Nie Gab Natur Sie Mir
Aria: Der Gedanke An Die Flammen Der Liebe
Aria: Bleibt Ihr Treu Dem, Der Euch So Verachtet?
Aria: Finstre Furie, Ihr Geister Der Holle
Aria: Nur Einen wunsch, Nur Ein Verlangen - Hermann Prey
Recitative And Duet: O Unverhofftes Gluck/Das Hore Ich Von Dir, Von Meinem Freunde? - Hermann Prey
Ma Se Il Nostro Gioir/Alcun Non Sia
Perche A Lo Sdegno/Padre Cortese/Si Non Vedro
Aria: Erwacht In Meinem Herzen
Duet: Nur Weinen Lernte Ich/Nur Klagen lernte Ich
Aria: Keine Schlange Lasst Sich Toten
Romance: O Schweige Still, O Lasse Dich Erbitten
Trio: Doch Nun Zu Dir/Trenne Nicht Das Band Der Liebe - Hermann Prey
Aria: Man Wird Ja Einmal Nur Geboren
Song: Lebe Wohl, Mein Flandrisch Madchen - Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Recitative And Duet: Du Stehst Wirklich Vor Mir/Der tempel Brahmas Strahlt - Hermann Prey

Tracks:

I. Im Wunderschonen Monat Mai
II. Aus Meinen Tranen Spriessen
III. Die Rose, Die Lilie, Die Taube, Die Sonne
IV. Wenn Ich In Deine Augen Seh
V. Ich Will Meine Seele Tauchen
VI. Im Rhein, Im Heiligen Strome
VII. Ich Grolle Nicht
VIII. Und Wussten's Die Blumen, Die Kleinen
IX. Das Ist Ein Floten Und Geigen
X. Hor Ich Das Liedchen Klingen
XI. Ein Jungling Liebt Ein Madchen
XII. Am Leuchtenden Sommermorgen
XIII. Ich Hab Im Traum Geweinet
XIV. Allnachtlich Im Traume Seh Ich Dich
XV. Aus Alten Marchen Winkt Es
XVI. Die Alten Bosen Lieder
Zartliche Liebe: 'Ich Liebe Dich' WoO 123
Adelaide Op.46
Resignation WoO 149
Der Kuss Op.128
Was Ist Silvia, Saget An
Lied Eines Schiffers An Die Dioskuren D 360
Liebhaber In Allen Gestalten D 558
Der Einsame D 800
Im Abendrot Op. Post. D 799
Leise Flehen Meine Lieder
An Die Laute D 905
Der Musensohn D 764
An Die Musik D 547

Tracks:

Granada
Mattinata
Funiculi-Funicula
O Sole Mio
Vergiss Mein Nicht
Ein Lied Geht Um Die Welt
Du Bist Die Welt Fur Mich
Ich Kusse Ihre Hand, Madame
Caro Mio Ben
Ave Maria
Plaisir D'Amour
La Danza
Serenade: Fern Im Weiten Land, Dort Unten Im Suden
Be My Love
Santa Lucia
Tiritomba
Heute Nacht Oder Nie

Tracks:

Wien, Wien, Nur Du Allein
Denk Dir, Die Welt War Ein Blumenstrauss
Ich Kenn Ein Kleines Wegerl Im Helenental
In Wien Gibt's Manch Winziges Gasserl
Draussen In Sievering
Ich Weiss Auf Der Wieden Ein Kleines Hotel
Ich Muss Wieder Einmal In Grinzing Sein
Im Prater Bluhn Wieder Die Baume
Herr Hofrat, Erinnern Sie Sich Noch?
I Hab Die Schonen Maderln Net Erfunden
Es Steht Ein Alter Nussbaum Drausst In Heiligenstadt
Wien Wird Bei Nacht Erst Schon
Wenn Es Abend Wird/Gruss Mir Mein Wien
Ob Blond, Ob Braun, Ich Liebe Alle Frau'n
Weine Nicht, Bricht Eine Schone Frau Dir Das Herz
Mein Herz Ruft Immer Nur Nach Dir, O Marita
Eine Kleine Fruhlingsweise
Schlaf Ein, Mein Blond-Engelein
Annchen Von Tarau
Still Wie Die Nacht

Customer Reviews:

Correction.......2006-12-13

Now folks, both of what the two other reviewers wrote about the tragical death of Fritz Wunderlich is wrong. Wunderlich died in hospital at September 17 1966. He had broken his skull, when he fell down the stairs in the hunting-house of a friend. Late in the evening of September 16, Wunderlich, as usual when not at home, had phoned his wife in Munich. He was very tired from strolling through the forest the whole day, making out the ideal locations for the hunt, which should start early in the next morning (Wunderlich was a passionate hunter). After he had wished his wife a good night, he went to the staircase in order to go down to his bedroom at the first floor. He still wore his heavy hunting boots - with open shoestrings! As walking downstairs, Wunderlich struggled over the open shoestrings and grabbed for the banisters, which was not more than a rope, fixed to the wall. The banisters teared out, and Wunderlich fell down the whole stairs. Fritz Wunderlich died in hospital the next day. It was only short before his 36'th birthday. An exceptional singing career had come to an untimely end. Some people believe that Wunderlich was drunken at the time of accident. If this is true can't be proven any more. But still this is not what his close friends said, regarding his accident and his death. In my opinion Wunderlich was the last of the really great tenors of the last century. All the tenors which came to fame after him (sorry folks, even such maestros as Pavarotti and Domingo) lack a certain quality in singing. It's the ease of breath flow, or singing on the breath without pushing the voice, it's the overtones, the legato, the mezza voce, the messa di voce and many more things - in short: the overall beauty of the voice through both registers. Wunderlich was the last tenor who had all this. Other examples are Caruso, McCormack, Gigli (despite the sobbing in his later recordings) and of course the wonderful Jussi Björling. But these are only some few names. If you listen for example to the cd's in the box "Famous tenors of the past" you will find that there were many very good and outstanding tenors in the first half of the 20'th century and - as we can only assume - in the time before the invention of the grammophone. Take a close look at todays famous tenors (I know, there are some quite good and promising ones) but what are they in comparison to those tenors (or better to say, to their voices and singing) I just mentioned before?

Please make your own decision.

Fritz Wunderlich can do no wrong...........2006-05-05

... okay, maybe. It's just that I've never heard a recording I didn't love. And I prefer that he sing everything in German even when that means not using original language.

This is a bit strange because I'm most often bugged by Don Carlos and Vepres in Italian (just a personal quirk). Of course, I'm also bugged by dropping the "s" in Don Carlos, which is always incorrect. The man's name IS Carlos whether in Italian or French.

I tried to write Mr. Avila a personal note, but could not, so let me say that Fritz Wunderlich did not die of cancer, but a dreadful accident in Scotland (I'll not go into the whys and wherefores, I just wanted to set PART of the record straight.)

The Wonder of Wunderlich.......2005-11-22

Deutsche Grammophone does it again! This is an extensive 3-cd compilation album featuring the artistry of the great German tenor Fritz Wunderlich in a variety of vocal repertoire - Baroque cantata/oratorio, opera and Lieder. Like the other critic pointed out, I first heard Fritz sinigng a superb Tamino in the Karl Bohm Magic Flute, although I have also heard him sing Lieder opposite the mezzo soprano Christa Ludwig and baritone Dietrich Fischer Dieskau, who were his contemporaries and colleagues. Wunderlich died tragically in 1966 of cancer. He inspired a generation of purely lyric tenors or "tenors di grazie" whose charming voice would never roughen and lack grace. His Germanic style earned him popularity in World War II Europe and he was the leading exponent of Lieder in the 50's. His tenor voice is glorious, as close to a male angel as possible. On this recording, we are treated to sumptuous arias from Bach's Christmas/Easter Oratorios, and movements from 2 cantatas. Also noteworthy are the unsurpassed performances of Mozart tenor heroes- such as Belmonte from "Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail" (Abduction from the Seraglio) and his unbeatable Tamino from Die Zauberflote The Magic Flute. He sings bel canto opera arias fo tenor, from master composers Rossinni, Bellini and Verdi. While I don't much like that he is singing Italian arias in German, one must remember that at this time, in the LP Era of World War II Germany and Austria, German-born opera singers sang Italian opera in German translation/revisions. While many German singers could indeed sing in Italian, they were mostly trained to sing it in German because of excessive national pride and because Germans viewed Italian opera as course and un-melodic. Still, there have been superb German singers who sang in Italian like Wagner diva Birgit Nilsson,baritone Dietrich Fischer Dieskau, tenor Peter Schreier, soprano Edda Moser, baritone Walter Berry, tenor Herman Pretty, all post-Wunderlich sensations. Wunderlich sings Lieder in one CD with great and unrivaled musicianship. Especially impressive are the Viennese pieces. Further to the cd's this album is equipped with photos of Wunderlich and his family and a detailed profile biography.

I wish I could give this release more than 5 stars: it's terrific!!!.......2005-10-28

I knew little about the German tenor Fritz Wunderlich (1930-1966), except reading the accolades given to his recordings and performances by reviewers in "American Record Guide" over the past 13 years. I knew Wunderlich recorded the role of Tamino in the famous DG recording of Mozart's "Die Zauberflote", with Karl Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic (Now on DG Originals CDs), but was not aware of what a wide range of repertoire he had until hearing this release.

This release has a wide variety of Wunderlich's discography, including Bach arias from his Christmas and Easter Oratorios, and movements from 2 cantatas; his Mozart roles in "Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail" (Eugen Jochum/Bavarian Radio Orchestra) and "Die Zauberflote" (Karl Bohm/Berlin Philharmonic); a variety of arias and duets by Rossini, Bellini, Verdi, Richard Strauss, mostly sung in German, and with Hermann Prey, baritone and Erika Koth, soprano in many of the duets; Baroque arias by Handel, from "Xerxes" (including the famous "Ombre mai fu" sung in German) and "Julius Caesar", selections from Monteverdi's "Orfeo" (an early track from 1955 sung in Italian); Schumann's "Dichterliebe", 4 Beethoven Lieder, including "Adelaide" and "Der Kuss"; and 9 Schubert lieder, including "An der Musik," and "Der Musensohn", all with Hubert Giesen, piano; Popular songs such as "Granada" and Viennese songs, with chamber orchestra accompaniment. There are no texts for the songs, but you may have text booklets with other CD releases, so don't really need them when you hear Wunderlich's beautiful voice.

There is a booklet with articles about Wunderlich's career, including a preface by his widow, Eva Wunderlich, photos of Wunderlich as a boy and young man, with his wife Eva in 1965, and children Constanze, Wolfgang, and Barbara. I enjoy reading and looking at the booklet, even apart from listening to the beautiful recordings.

Wunderlich was a genius, and his voice sounds great in every track, mono (some, but not a majority) and stereo (most of the tracks in the 7 discs are stereo) alike. If you love great music, and opera, but like me aren't often of a mind to sit still for 3 hours to listen to one, get this. It's a great release, and reasonably priced to boot. I'm thankful to God for great music, for the ability to hear and feel, and for Fritz Wunderlich and his service to music lovers everywhere.

The Hugo Wolf Society - The Complete Edition 1931-1938

Average customer rating:

The Hugo Wolf Society Recordings
"Even little things can delight us."
"Even little things can delight us."
Wolf sung by various Lieder singers

The Hugo Wolf Society - The Complete Edition 1931-1938

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Wolf: Italienisches Liederbuch
Poulenc - Melodies / Ameling · Gedda · W. Parker · Sénéchal · Souzay · Baldwin
Wolf: Lieder (Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Gerald Moore)
Mussorgsky: Kovanshchina - Abbado
Handel: Messiah; Athalia; Esther; La Resurrezione

ASIN: B000009OQC
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Tracks:

Moerike-Lieder: 8. Begegnung
Moerike-Lieder: 38. Lied vom Winde
Moerike-Lieder: 15. Auf einer Wanderung
Moerike-Lieder: 41. Rat einer Alten
Spanisches Liederbuch: 12. In dem Schatten meiner Locken
Moerike-Lieder: 37. Heimweh (Anders wird die Welt)
Spanisches Liederbuch: 4. Die ihr schwebet um diese Palmen
Spanisches Liederbuch: 6. Ach, des Knaben Augen
Spanisches Liederbuch: Nun wandre, Maria
Moerike-Lieder: 46. Gesang Weylas
Spanisches Liederbuch: 9. Herr, was traegt der Boden hier
Italiensches Liederbuch: 1. Auch kleine Dinge
Moerike-Lieder: 7. Das verlassene Maegdlein
Eichendorff-Lieder: 4. Das Staendchen
Spanisches Liederbuch: Wenn du zu den Blumen gehst
Italiensches Liederbuch: 34. Und steht Ihr frueh am Morgen auf
Italiensches Liederbuch: 16. Ihr jungen Leute
Italiensches Liederbuch: 10. Du denkst mit einem Faedchen
Italiensches Liederbuch: 12. Nein, junger Herr
Goethe-Lieder: 1-3 Drei Harfenspieler: 1: Wer sich der Einsamkeit ergibt
Goethe-Lieder: 1-3 Drei Harfenspieler: 2: An die Tueren will ich schleichen
Goethe-Lieder: 1-3 Drei Harfenspieler: 3: Wer nie sein Brot
Goethe-Lieder: 1-3 Drei Harfenspieler: 29. Anakreons Grab
Goethe-Lieder: 1-3 Drei Harfenspieler: 15. Cophtisches Lied 2 (Geh! Gehorche)
Goethe-Lieder: 1-3 Drei Harfenspieler: 21. Genialisch Treiben
Goethe-Lieder: 1-3 Drei Harfenspieler: 11. Der Rattenfenger
Goethe-Lieder: 1-3 Drei Harfenspieler: 19. Epiphanias
Goethe-Lieder: 1-3 Drei Harfenspieler: 26. Die Sproede
Goethe-Lieder: 1-3 Drei Harfenspieler: 27. Die Bekehrte
Goethe-Lieder: 1-3 Drei Harfenspieler: 24. Blumengruss
Goethe-Lieder: 1-3 Drei Harfenspieler: 25. Gleich und gleich
Goethe-Lieder: 1-3 Drei Harfenspieler: 28. Fruehling uebers Jahr

Tracks:

Goethe-Lieder: 49. Prometheus
Goethe-Lieder: 50. Ganymed
Goethe-Lieder: 18. Beherzigung
1-3 Drei Gedichte von Michelangelo: 1: Wohl denk' ich oft
1-3 Drei Gedichte von Michelangelo: 2: Alles endet, was entstehet
1-3 Drei Gedichte von Michelangelo: 3: Fuehlt meine Seele
Moerike-Lieder: 19. Um Mitternacht
Moerike-Lieder: 42. Erstes Liebeslied eines Maedchens
Moerike-Lieder: 45. Nixe Binsefuss
Spanisches Liederbuch: Moegen alle boesen Zungen
Spanisches Liederbuch: 24. Koepfchen, Koepfchen, nicht gewimmert
Spanisches Liederbuch: 11. Klinge, klinge, mein Pandero
Spanisches Liederbuch: 26. Bitt ihn, o Mutter
Italiensches Liederbuch: 6. Wer rief dich denn?
Italiensches Liederbuch: 25. Mein Liebster hat zu Tische mich geladen
Italiensches Liederbuch: 43. Schweig einmal still
Italiensches Liederbuch: 35. Benedeit die sel'ge Mutter
Italiensches Liederbuch: 7. Der Mond hat eine schwere Klag' erhoben
Italiensches Liederbuch: 27. Schon streckt' ich aus im Bett die mueden Glieder
Goethe-Lieder: 51. Grenzen der Menschheit
Italiensches Liederbuch: 32. Was soll der Zorn, mein Schatz
Italiensches Liederbuch: 24. Ich esse nun mein Brot nicht trocken mehr
Italiensches Liederbuch: 31. Wie soll ich froehlich sein
Italiensches Liederbuch: 11. Wie lange schon war immer mein Verlangen
Italiensches Liederbuch: 28. Du sagst mir, dass ich keine Fuerstin sei
Italiensches Liederbuch: 26. Ich liess mir sagen
Italiensches Liederbuch: 29. Wohl kenn' ich Euren Stand
Italiensches Liederbuch: 21. Man sagt mir, deine Mutter woll' es nicht
Italiensches Liederbuch: 36. Wenn du, mein Liebster, steigst zum Himmel auf

Tracks:

Italiensches Liederbuch: 20. Mein Liebster singt am Haus im Mondenscheine
Italiensches Liederbuch: 40. O waer' dein Haus durchsichtig wie ein Glas
Italiensches Liederbuch: 39. Gesegnet sei das Gruen
Italiensches Liederbuch: 2. Mir ward gesagt, du reisest in die Ferne
Italiensches Liederbuch: 15. Mein Liebster ist so klein
Italiensches Liederbuch: 46. Ich hab' in Penna einen Liebster wohnen
Italiensches Liederbuch: 4. Gesegnet sei, durch den die Welt entstund
Italiensches Liederbuch: 3. Ihr seid die Allerschoenste
Italiensches Liederbuch: 13. Hoffaertig seid Ihr, schoenes Kind
Italiensches Liederbuch: 9. Dass doch gemalt all deine Reize waeren
Italiensches Liederbuch: 17. Und willst du deinen Liebsten sterben sehen
Italiensches Liederbuch: 38. Wenn du mich mit den Augen streifst
Italiensches Liederbuch: 41. Heut Nacht erhob ich mich, um Mitternacht
Italiensches Liederbuch: 22. Ein Staendchen Euch zu bringen
Italiensches Liederbuch: 8. Nun lass uns Frieden schliessen
Italiensches Liederbuch: 19. Wir haben beide lange Zeit geschwiegen
Italiensches Liederbuch: 14. Geselle, woll'n wir uns in Kutten huellen
Italiensches Liederbuch: 18. Heb auf dein blondes Haupt
Italiensches Liederbuch: 33. Sterb' ich, so huellt in Blumen meine Glieder
Italiensches Liederbuch: 37. Wie viele Zeit verlor ich
Italiensches Liederbuch: 23. Was fuer ein Lied soll dir gesungen werden
Spanisches Liederbuch: 7. Muehvoll komm' ich und beladen
Spanisches Liederbuch: 15. Auf dem gruenen Balkon
Spanisches Liederbuch: 14. Treibe nur mit Lieben Spott
Spanisches Liederbuch: 29. Trau nicht der Liebe
Spanisches Liederbuch: 38. Sie blasen zum Abmarsch
Sechs Gedichte: 3. Biterolf (Im Lager von Akkon 1190)
Moerike-Lieder: 22. Seufzer
Moerike-Lieder: 28. Gebet
Moerike-Lieder: 23. Auf ein altes Bild
Moerike-Lieder: 32. An die Geliebte
Moerike-Lieder: 12. Verborgenheit
Moerike-Lieder: 39. Denk es, o Seele!
Moerike-Lieder: 51. Bei einer Trauung
3. Ein Stuendlein wohl vor Tag
Moerike-Lieder: 16. Elfenlied

Tracks:

Sechs Alte Weisen: 6. Wie glaenzt der helle Mond
Goethe-Lieder: 14. Cophtisches Lied 1
Eichendorff-Lieder: 2. Der Musikant
Eichendorff-Lieder: 5. Der Soldat
Eichendorff-Lieder: 9. Der Schreckenberger
Moerike-Lieder: 44. Der Feuerreiter
Drei Gedichte von Robert Reinick: 1. Gesellenlied (Kein Meister faellt)
Goethe-Lieder: 5. Mignon 1 (Heiss mich nicht reden)
Goethe-Lieder: 7. Mignon 3 (So lasst mich scheinen)
Moerike-Lieder: 29. An den Schlaf
Moerike-Lieder: 36. Liebe wohl
Spanisches Liederbuch: 30. Ach, im Maien war's
Spanisches Liederbuch: 21. Herz, verzage nicht geschwind
Moerike-Lieder: 30. Neue Liebe
Moerike-Lieder: 48. Storchenbotschaft
Spanisches Liederbuch: 32. Dereinst, dereinst, Gedanke mein
Spanisches Liederbuch: 31. Alle gingen, Herz, zur Ruh
Spanisches Liederbuch: 33. Tief im Herzen trag' ich Pein
Sechs Gedichte: 6. Zur Ruh, zur Ruh
Spanisches Liederbuch: 34. Komm, o Tod, von Nacht umgeben
Sechs Lieder fuer eine Frauenstimme: 4. Wiegenlied (Im Sommer)
Sechs Lieder fuer eine Frauenstimme: 5. Wiegenlied (Im Winter)
Moerike-Lieder: 20. Auf eine Christblume I (Tochter des Walds)
Moerike-Lieder: 24. In der Fruehe
Moerike-Lieder: 25. Schlafendes Jesuskind

Tracks:

Goethe-Lieder: 20. Sankt Nepomuks Vorabend
Goethe-Lieder: 12. Ritter Kurts Brautfahrt
Moerike-Lieder: 47. Die Geister am Mummelsee
Moerike-Lieder: 10. Fussreise
Moerike-Lieder: 43. Lied eines Verliebten
Moerike-Lieder: 25. Schlafendes Jesuskind
Moerike-Lieder: 4. Jaegerlied
Moerike-Lieder: 17. Der Gaertner
Moerike-Lieder: 50. Auftrag
Moerike-Lieder: 9. Nimmersatte Liebe
Spanisches Liederbuch: 44. Geh, Geliebter, geh jetzt!
Goethe-Lieder: 10. Der Saenger
Eichendorff-Lieder: 13. Der Scholar
Eichendorff-Lieder: 14. Der verzweifelte Liebhaber
Eichendorff-Lieder: 15. Unfall
Vier Gedichte: 1. Wo wird einst (Heine)
Vier Gedichte: 3. Sonne der Schlummerlosen
Vier Gedichte: 4. Keine gleicht von allen Schoenen
Eichendorff-Lieder: 1. Der Freund
Eichendorff-Lieder: 2. Der Musikant
Sechs Gedichte: 1. Waechterlied auf der Wartburg
Moerike-Lieder: 40. Der Jaeger
Goethe-Lieder: 32. Phaenomen
Eichendorff-Lieder: 3. Verschwiegene Liebe
Vier Gedichte: 1. Wo wird einst (Heine)
Ueber Nacht (Sturm)

Amazon.com

EMI's "society" subscription editions in the 1930s yielded a wealth of recordings long considered gramophone classics, such as the present collection of roughly half of Hugo Wolf's lieder output. Each song occupies its own specific world, due to Wolf's resourceful word setting and his avoidance of anything generic. In turn, the performers illuminate each song's felicities with effortless authority, and they avoid overpointing or enacting. Full texts and translations are included. Ernest Newman's penetrating annotations for the original 78 albums, reprinted in EMI's 1981 LP reissue, are absent. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

The Hugo Wolf Society Recordings.......2005-12-28

The songs of Hugo Wolf (1860 -- 1903)combine great attention to textual detail with closely intertwined writing for the voice and the piano. In this small form, Wolf was a master and took song in a different direction from that of Schubert, Schumann and Brahms. He wrote most of his songs in bursts of activity in five large collections, devoted to the poetry of Morike, Eichendorff, Goethe, and to collections of Spanish and Italian texts. He also composed a number of songs in shorter sets.

In the early 1930s, a young Walter Legge began a project of recording Wolf songs on a subscribtion basis to be limited to 500 sets. The recording industry was relatively new, and Wolf, then as now, too little appreciated. The result was an extensive series of recordings of issued between 1931 and 1938 consisting of 145 songs, about one-half Wolf's output, performed by fourteen singers. The Hugo Wolf Society recordings remain a high moment in the recording of song. They were remastered on LPs and, in 1998, in this 5 CD collection which includes previously unreleased selections.

The Wolf Society collection offers an unparalleled opportunity to get to know Wolf's songs performed by artists of the past that might otherwise be unfamiliar to many listeners. The performers include mezzo-soprano Elena Gerhardt, who recorded the initial volume for the society, baritones Herbert Janssen, Gerhard Husch, tenors John McCormack, Karl Erb, and Helge Roswaenge, the basses Alexander Kipnis, Frederich Schorr, and Ludwig Weber, and sopranos Alexandra Trianti, Elizabeth Rethberg, Ria Ginster, Marta Fuchs, and Tiana Lemnitz. The pianists include Conrad Bos, Gerald Moore, Michael Raucheisen, Hans Udo Muller, and Ernest Victor Wolff.

The singers perform in a variety of styles from the highly operatic to the quietly lyrical. There is a Wagnerian performance of Goethe's "Prometheus" by Friedrich Schorr with the London Symphony Orchestra -- the only track using an orchestral accompaniment. The Irish tenor John McCormack shows a more lyrical approach in his renowned performance of Goethe's poem "Ganymed". The sopranos, Alexandra Trianti, Ria Ginster, and Tiana Lemitz have light, clear, bell-like voices. I find the singers on this compilation take a much more individualized, idiosyncratic, and romantic approach to song than do their modern counterparts, who sometimes seem restrained and chaste by comparison.

Each of Wolf's great collections of songs is well-represented. Elena Gerhardt performs songs from each of Wolf's five books, with the exception of the Goethe songs. The young Alexander Kipnis gives a powerful reading of Wolf's three songs from Michaelangelo. The third CD in this collection features many songs from the Italian songbook performed by soprano Ginster, baritone Husch, and bass Kipnis together with recordings from the Spanish songbook by sopranos Rethberg and Ginster and baritone Husch. There are lovely performances by soprano Tiana Lemnitz in the previously uncollected supplementary material, which also includes several Eichendorff songs and a performance of the Goethe-song "Phanomen" by Alexander Kipnis.

There is a great amount of material in this collection, with each of the 5 CDs including in excess of 70 minutes of music. Most of Wolf's songs are highly concentrated and intense. They may prove difficult to the listener coming to them knowing only the lyricism of Schubert. I would not recommend trying to rush through this set at one or two hearings. It is best to take this music in small sections and to listen with text in hand. The compilation includes texts and translations for each of the songs together with good notes about the Wolf Society recording project. There is little discussion about Wolf or about the songs themselves.

This is an essential collection for those who love song, historical recordings, and the music of Hugo Wolf.

Robin Friedman

"Even little things can delight us.".......2003-06-02

If these six words give an approximate translation of the song "Auch kleine Dinge", then they might also describe a music lover's reaction as he makes a journey of exploration through the hundreds of little songs composed by Hugo Wolf.

Walter Legge, a very young EMI record producer in the 1930s, first made such a journey possible when he pioneered the Hugo Wolf Society and began releasing the volumes now reissued in this boxed set. Many singers were invited to participate. Legge's choice of singers was sometimes idiosyncratic. You might wonder how an Irish tenor, a Ukrainian bass and a Greek soprano were admitted to the roster. The results, however, especially in the case of the contributions of John McCormack and Alexander Kipnis, prove the sureness of his instincts.

About half Wolf's songs were made available in the original issue, between 1931 and 1938. With this reissue comes unused and hitherto unissued recordings, many by Tiana Lemnitz and Herbert Jannsen. So there is now more to discover and exploration is made easier for us in 2003 than it was in the 1930s. The remastering has improved the sound, Legge's widow Dame Elisabeth Schwarzkopf is able to provide a perceptive introduction in an accompanying booklet, and the texts of the songs are now provided in German and English.

"Even little things can delight us.".......2003-06-02

If these six words give an approximate translation of the song titled "Auch kleine Dinge", then they might also describe a music lover's reaction as he makes a journey of exploration through the hundreds of little songs composed by Hugo Wolf.

Wolf sung by various Lieder singers.......2000-08-15

This is an extraordinary collection of Wolf songs. It is frustrating that the project was not completed, as the quality of what was recorded is so extraordinarily revelatory. My personal favourites are the Michelangelo settings sung by the bass Alexander Kipnis, although he uncharacteristically makes some textual errors. The contributions of Hüsch are numerous and thoughtfully sung, and Karl Erb, Herbert Janssen, Ludwig Weber, Rita Ginster and Marta Fuchs are all caught on extraordinary form, with accompanists of admittedly variable quality, ranging from the sublime Gerald Moore to some very interesting contributions from some accompanists who did not really capture the true essence of Lieder accompanying, which surely cannot permit the piano to be subservient to the voice!

These precious recordings offer us so much. They are a document of a golden age of Lieder singing, and they are superb recitals, sung by a variety of voices, never allowing the listener to tire of listening to a single voice for too long. They are also, of course, examples of some of the most wonderful Lieder writing of any time. These 5 cds are a must for a Lieder specialist, and can open new doors to the novice. Buy them, and never regret having this treasure trove which will give you pleasure all your life.

Average customer rating:

Morris is great\Brunnhilde is better here than on DVD
Possibly the Best Die Walkure on disc
Very, very good!!
Terrible disk for mp3 players
As a total package, I'll take this one

Wagner: Die Walküre
Richard Wagner , James Levine , Jessye Norman , James Morris , Reinhild Runkel , and Hildegard Behrens
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
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

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Ludwig, Christa | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Norman, Jessye | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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R. Strauss: Elektra
Tchaikovsky - Eugen Onegin / T. Allen, Freni, von Otter, Shicoff, Burchuladze; Levine
Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor / Sutherland · Pavarotti · Milnes · Ghiaurov · ROH Covent Garden · Bonynge
Tannhauser (Slipcase)

ASIN: B000001G95
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Die Walkure: I: Vorspiel
Die Walkure: I.1, p.123: Wes Herd dies auch sei, hier muss ich rasten
Die Walkure: I.1, p.127: Einen Unseligen labtest du
Die Walkure: I.2, p.127 Mud am Herd fand ich den Mann
Die Walkure: I.2, p.131: Friedmund darf ich nicht heissen
Die Walkure: I.2, p.135: Die so leidig Los dir beschied
Die Walkure: I.2, p.137: Ich weiss ein wildes Geschlecht
Die Walkure: I.3, p.137: Ein Schwert verhiess mir der Vater
Die Walkure: I.3, p.139: Schlaefst du, Gast?
Die Walkure: I.3, p.145: Winterstuerme wichen dem Wonnemond
Die Walkure: I.3, p.145: Du bist der Lenz, nach dem ich verlangte
Die Walkure: I.3, p.147: O suesseste Wonne! Seligstes Weib!
Die Walkure: I.3, p.151: Siegmund heiss ich und Siegmund bin ich!

Tracks:

Die Walkure: Nun zaume dein Ross, reisige Maid!
Die Walkure: Hojotoho! Hojotoho!
Die Walkure: Der alte Sturm, die alte Muh!
Die Walkure: So ist es denn aus mit den ewigen Gottern
Die Walkure: Heiaha! Heiaha! Hojotoho!
Die Walkure: Schlimm, furcht ich, schloss der Streit
Die Walkure: Als junger Liebe Lust mir verblich
Die Walkure: Ein andres ist's: achte es wohl
Die Walkure: So nimmst du von Siegmund den Sieg?
Die Walkure: So nimm meinen Segen, Niblungensohn!

Tracks:

Die Walkure: So sah ich Siegvater nie
Die Walkure: Hinweg! Hinweg! Flieh die Entweihte!
Die Walkure: Siegmund! Sieh auf mich!
Die Walkure: Erdenluft muss sie noch atmen
Die Walkure: Weh! Weh! Sussestes Weib
Die Walkure: Zwei Leben lachen dir hier
Die Walkure: Zauberfest bezahmt ein Schlaf
Die Walkure: Wehwalt! Wehwalt!

Tracks:

Die Walkure: Hojotoho! Hojotoho!
Die Walkure: Schutzt mich und helft in hochster Not!
Die Walkure: Nicht sehre dich Sorge um mich
Die Walkure: Steh, Brunnhild'!
Die Walkure: Hier bin ich, Vater: gebiete die Strafe!
Die Walkure: War es so schmahlich, was ich verbrach
Die Walkure: Deinen leichten Sinn lass dich denn leiten
Die Walkure: Du zeugtest ein edles Geschlecht
Die Walkure: Leb wohl, du kuhnes, herrliches Kind!
Die Walkure: Der Augen leuchtendes Paar
Die Walkure: Loge, hor! Lausche hieher!
Die Walkure: (Feuerzauber)

Customer Reviews:

Morris is great\Brunnhilde is better here than on DVD.......2006-09-22

I am not a fan of the recent Behrens. Her voice, in the DVD of the ring cycle,( different from the CD's by several years!) is far drier than on disc. On disc, she is tolerable, even good most of the time, though as one reviewer so cleverly put it, Norman's Siegliende sounds like she could eat the Valkyries alive. I would give anything to switch the roles having Behrnes as Siegliende and Norman as Brunnhilde. Why couldnt the met think of that-the Valkyrie is a strong noble woman-Norman would be perfect-
The star of the show is James Morris' Wotan. His voice is like liquid gold, pure butter. OF all the Wotan's I have heard, his is the most effective, even moreso on the DVD set. Some may complain about his legato ladden singing, but this adds an immense beauty to the performance which truly makes you yearn for his every word. In the group I watched the whole cycle with, every time he sang, everyone shut up and was in awe of his performance. The only performance I believe is comparable is KNA's 56 Hotter. It is the only perforamcen by Hotter I think is successful, though his Solti Walkure Wotan may be the worst performance of disc. IT sounds like he is singing, or was recorded in a cave. Stray from that horrid performance. Also Karajan's is pretty good, one of the best. Barenboim;s is decent, tomlinson is strong with a great voice, but he tends to overemphasize certain phrases
For a wonderful comparison of what makes Morris great, I compared his lines in
"Der Alt Sturm' to Fricka regarding Siegliende and Siegmunde to
KNA, KRauss, Solti, Barenboim, Morris DVD, and CD and Haitink
Morris is the best.

Possibly the Best Die Walkure on disc.......2005-12-07

People have criticized James Levine for his plodding tempos in his Wagner conducting. However, I believe that his conducting is most true to Wagner's score. I personally think that this Walkure is the best on disc, exceeding the recordings made by Sir Georg Solti, Karl Bohm, Clemens Krauss, and to a certain extent, Herbert von Karajan. The clear, precise, yet transparent sounds he draws from the Met Orchestra is superb, and he displays the psychological drama of the characters very very well. The cast is top notch too, with Brunhildde being played by the very youthful sounding Hildegard Behrens in her prime. From the magnificent opening Hojotohos to her farewell with Wotan, none of the dramatic qualities of the part were missed by this gifted German soprano. You have here the feminine qualities perfected by Regine Crespin in her Karajan recording, plus the clarion high notes of Birgit Nilsson, and you have a great Valkyrie. Wotan is played by none other than James Morris, a singer whose Wotan I believe exceeds that of Hans Hotter in the Solti recording. This isn't a Wotan to fear, although that is one of the attributed the great American bass baritone can bring to the music. You also have Wotan the father, the lover, the compassionate head god who is distraught because he no longer has the universe under his control. A reference performance indeed. Gary Lakes plays Siegmund, a part bettered only by James King. His Sieglinde is Jessye Norman, and despite this talk about her overmannered Sieglinde, I would say that this is one of her greatest Wagner performances...very touching and vocally magnificent. Christa Ludwig plays Fricka, and although the voice is no longer what it was years ago for Solti, the drama she exudes in the text simply cuts through everything like a knife. This is a reference Fricka that must be held beside the great Fricka of Josephine Veasey in the Karajan recording. Finally, Hunding is played by none other than Kurt Moll. I wonder why this singer is cast so sparsely in other recordings when he can command some of the greatest Wagner performances on disc. His Gurnemanz, in my opinion, is the most wonderful in the discography. If he were to sing Wotan, I would be extremely thrilled with the results, but having James Morris in the role is more than I could ask for.

This truly is a great recording, and the sound is a miracle beyond miracles. Highly recommended!

Very, very good!!.......2005-03-10

Let me first say that I'm relatively new to the Opera world; therefore, my opinion may not hold much weight. However, I must say this: I love this recording!! Hildegard's voice is exquisite, Jessye Norman has such a commanding voice in her last passage of the Opera, and James Morris does an AWESOME Wotan. I remember after I had read a lot of negative commentary on this opera, I began to have a negative opinion about Norman's performance; then a friend took me to the side and showed me Norman's last passage in this opera (on the DVD), then every doubt I had about her was destroyed!

My ear is not trained enough for particulars (like diction and such) so I can't comment on that.

Basically, if you're looking for an overall good recording taken at a good tempo, this is it. I have heard the infallible Solti recording of this opera and I quickly grew bored with how slow he had taken some passages, but Nilsson has such a beatiful voice on that recording, too. So, it it just depends on what you want out of the Opera, I suppose

Anyways, as a budding opera listener, I highly reccommend this Opera.

Terrible disk for mp3 players.......2005-02-27

I like to listen to opera on my mp3 player. There are 4 CD's with different track information that make it extremely difficult to get them loaded in your mp3 library in the proper sequence. I have not yet been successful with either my Roxio or Music Match Jukebox software. The volume level is also very low compared to my other CD's. Very dissatisfied. Will probably buy another Die Walkure so I dont waist any more time. Age 66, former computer consultant.

As a total package, I'll take this one.......2004-12-04

Most people seem to dismiss this "Walkure" because Hildegard Behrens isn't Kirsten Flagstad, Gary Lakes isn't Lauritz Melchior, and James Levine isn't Hans Knappertsbusch. Maybe so. (Although remember the wise old adage: "The Golden Age of opera is always the one you just missed.") But Wagner, more than any other composer, is about the total experience - not just golden throats. And if the participants here aren't clear firsts in every category, their consistent and cumulative excellence make this an extremely competitive candidate.

Let's start with Behrens as everyone's favorite Valkyrie. It's true that she lacks power in the mid-range. But the crucial high notes are strong and shiny. And though they are not as magnificent as Birgit Nilsson's, the outstanding digital sound in which they are captured is a nice consolation. (Opera, like politics, is an art of compromises.)

And Gary Lakes as Siegmund? I'm sure this heresy will earn me a bushel of "unhelpful" votes from the moldy figs. But I have the legendary 1935 Vienna Melchior/Lehmann/List "Walkure" Act I, and I'll take Mr. Lakes, thank you. His instrument may not be the equal of Melchior's Stradivarius, but it's a sweet fiddle all the same (lotsa helden in his tenor) and he plays it far more affectingly, in my opinion.

I'm also prepared to stack up Jessye Norman's almost dementedly passionate Sieglinde against any other essayer of the role. As the mother of the World's Greatest Hero, she ought not to be sung as a swooning Bavarian wildflower. With La Norman's lashing torrents of vocal power, when the character longs to have her shame avenged, you'll know she means it. And when she climactically calls her brother by his true name, you'll want a cigarette afterwards.

If there is a better performance of Hunding than Kurt Moll's, seething with menace, let it be brought forward. I find James Levine an outstanding Wagner conductor - equally adept with the thunderous "Ride of the Valkyries" and the meltingly tender string playing at the end of Act III. And the recorded sound is demonstration class - if you like that sort of thing.

There will always be Solti die-hards and with Birgit Nilsson in his arsenal you can't blame them. But this will be my "Walkure" of choice from now on.

Average customer rating:

Merry Christmas

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fresh voices, Wonderful piano

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ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Fresh voices, Wonderful piano.......2002-05-02

These 2 discs contains all Moerike Lieder of Hugo Wolf, sung in the publish order. Two singers are at their best, especially Stephan Genz, a really good young voice.

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