Reise Reise [Limited Edition]

1. Reise Reise

2. Mein Teil

3. Dalai Lama

4. Keine Lust

5. Los

6. Amerika

7. Moskau

8. Morgenstern

9. Stein Um Stein

10. Ohne Dich

11. Amour

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The hit German industrial/metal act's fourth full length album. 11 tracks including the first two singles, 'Mein Teil' (written about the man who was willingly eaten by a cannibal in Germany), & 'Amerika'. Packaged in a limited edition digipak. Universal.

Tracks:

Reise, Reise
Mein Teil
Dalai Lama
Keine Lust
Los
Amerika
Moskau
Morgenstern
Stein Um Stein
Ohne Dich
Amour

Album Details

The German Kings of Power Metal Never Stray Too Far from Controversy and this is the Follow Up to their Breakthu Album "Mutter". The Wall of Sound Comes at You at 1,000 Mph and Won't Let Up! features the First Single "Mein Teil".

Customer Reviews:

Gimmicky and disturbing..........2007-07-09

Rammstein uses a lot of gimmicks in this album and without these gimmicks Reise, Resie would fall flat on its Aryan face. A lot of crowed noises and synthesized voices and strings are implemented to strengthen the hypnotic percussion and simple guitar riffs.

The lyrics in this album are particularly disgusting. Rammstein's song subjects are usually weird but Mein Teil probably takes the cake. The songs has a lot of energy and power to it and musically it's a great song, but the lyrics are about meeting a cannibal and being eaten by him which make the song a little less pleasant to listen to.

Moskau is another song that's almost good. Musically it's pretty strong, and the gimmick of having a woman singing in Russian makes the song sound good, but the description of the city of Moscow as a prostitute makes the song less enjoyable.

Also, what's up with the solos in this album? Los would almost be a pretty good song, except the guitar riff is lacking in originality and a pathetic solo near the end of the song. Also, the "guitar solo" in Amerika sounds like it was tackled by a guitarist who wasn't fast or accurate enough to have made it work.

There are a few good songs on the album, but all in all I think this album sucks and I kind of wish I hadn't bought it.

It rocks!.......2007-06-28

I have always been a fan of Rammstein but I must confess that this is actually the first cd I have purchased of theirs. Mostly because I love the song Amerika. The song perfectly captures my sentiments about Globalization and the spread of American consumerism and capitalism.
Also, it totally rocks.

Rammstein returns....in color.......2006-11-02

Not sure if that makes sense, but as good as their previous albums were, most of the songs were either slow or driving. Reise, Reise represents a progression of the band in my eyes. The songs here linger more and arent quite as driving, but are less strained and more colorful. I have to admit missing the driving nature of Rammstein songs that was prevalent on the Mutter album. Ich Will on the Mutter album simply rocked, the best 'driving' Rammstein song in my opinion. Its easy to dismiss the Reise, Reise album because theres no song like Ich Will on it. I think thats unfair to the album however.
I have to admit at first listen I underestimated this album and considered it inferior to Mutter. But as I continue to listen to it, I think this album has the most A grade songs on it of any Rammstein album to date.
I would rate it 5 stars now, a definitive buy for Rammstein fans.

Boring -- Beware the "musical" snobs.......2006-06-04

I'm sure that hard-core Rammstein-lovers will slam my review by checking "not useful" simply because they love the album and want to hammer me, but they are not who I am writing this review for. This is for people who, like me, who don't care who the artist is, but look for a certain type of music.

I originally bought the Sehnsucht album based on a fiend's recommendation, and I loved it. My son and I particularly enjoyed blasting the first 6 songs to wake up and get motivated while driving to his 6 a.m. hockey games a couple of years ago.

So I read the reviews and figured this album would be good, too. Wrong. BORING! It's more like a less-interesting version of the second half of the Sehnsucht album.

I suppose if you're the type who gets into analyzing the "musicality" and clever interplay of the instruments and the soulfull lyrics and blah blah blah, then yeah, you'll probably love this one.

If you want the kind of music with a hard-driving beat and sound that makes you bob your head up and down like the first half of Sehnsucht, don't waste your time and money on this album. That is not what this is.

Again -- if you love Rammstein or are some sort of musicality afficianado, you'll probably like it. If you want something hard-driving like the first half of Sehnsucht, you'll be disappointed.

Simply Phenomenal .......2006-05-15

Fresh from their 2001 masterpiece "Mutter", German industrial metal merchants Rammstein return with a bang with their phenomenally epic 2004 masterpiece entitled "Reise, Reise". Not a single word can truly describe how phenomenal this album is. From beginning to end, this album will no doubt take you on an epic breathtaking journey that you'll leave you breathless, and sometimes bring tears to your eyes. Every song on here is simply awesome. Till Lindemann's vocals are just absolutely awesome and very enchanting. Paul Landers and Richard Z. Kruspe-Bernstein's guitar riffs are tight, crisp, and very menacing. Doktor Christian Lorenz's keyboardwork is great, and Oliver Riedel's bass, and Christoph "Doom" Schneider's drumming are all good as well.

Favorite songs include -
1. Reise, Reise: The opening title track, and my all time favorite song on here. No words can describe how much I love this song. The chorus is very addicting. It just brings tears to my eyes whenever it sinks into my brain.
2. Mein Teil: The first single off the album I believe, and a hard hitter as well. Till's vocals are very aweome on here. Great song.
5. Los: This song has a bluesy like accoustic riff throughout. Pretty cool song.
6. Amerika: Another one of my favorite songs, and a catchy headbanger. The chorus on this song is sung in English which I believe is a first for Rammstein. There's even a solo on this song which is pretty cool.
7. Moskau: This song has another headbanging beat that is very catchy throughout, and the chorus will stay stuck in your head for days. I like the guest female vocals on here too.
10. Ohne Dich: The chorus and the keyboard riff on this song brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it. Another one of my favorites.

The whole song list and ratings:
1. Reise, Reise - 10/5
2. Mein Teil - 5/5
3. Dalai Lama - 5/5
4. Keine Lust - 5/5
5. Los - 5/5
6. Amerika - 5/5
7. Moskau - 5/5
8. Morgenstern - 5/5
9. Stein Um Stein - 5/5
10. Ohne Dich - 5/5
11. Amour - 5/5

Well there you have it. A must have for any fan of Rammstein, metal, industrial metal, or just good music in general. Buy this masterpiece now.

LONG LIVE RAMMSTEIN!!

Average customer rating:

Comedian Harmonists

Definitive Collection

Manufacturer: Arena Records UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Comedian Harmonists
The Harmonists
Comedian Harmonists
Auf Wiederseh'n
Finest Selection of: Comedian Harmonists

ASIN: B0000648OR
Release Date: 2001-11-02

Tracks:

Wenn Ich Vergnn
Uch Wollt' Ich W Ein Huhn
Veronika, Der Lenz Ist Da
Bin Kein Hauptmann, Bin Kein Gros Tier
Ein Freund, Ein Guter Freund
Creol Love Call
Bist Nicht Die Erste
Baccarole
Der Sch Blauen Donau
Quant il Pleut
Ein Bisschen Leichtsinn Kann Nicht Schaden
Ich Hab' Fh 'Nen Blumentopf Bestellt
Jetzt Trinken Wir Noch Eins
Ist Die Liebe Der Matrosen
Liebling, Mein Herz L Dich Gr
Irgendwo Auf Der Welt
Ali Baba
Maria Marie
Auf Dem Heuboden
Liebesleid
Tout le Jour
Wir Sind Von Kopf Bis FuAuf Liebe Eingestellt
So Ein KuKommt Von Allein
Musketier Marsch
Mein Kleiner, Graktus

Tracks:

Hoppla, Jetzt Komm'ich
Kannst du Pfeifen, Johanna
Tea for Two
In Der Bar Zum Krokodil
Eine Kleine Frsweise
Eins, Zwei, Drei, Vier Glh Bin Ich Nur Mit Dir
Die Liebe Kommt, Die Liebe Geht
Heute Nacht Oder Nie
Hallo, Was Machst du Heut' Daisy
Ich Khre Hand Madame
Auf Wiedersehen Mein Frein, Auf Wiedersehen Mein Herr
Kleiner Mann, Was Nun
Hein Spielt Abends So Schuf Dem Schifferklavier
Mein Lieber Schatz Bist du Aus Spanien
Onkel Bumba Aus Kalumba
Perpetuum Mobile
Leb' Wohl Gute Reise [Farewell, Have a Good Journey]
Wenn Die Sonja Russisch Tanzt
Morgen MuIch Fort Von Hier
Wenn Der Wind Weht er das Meer
Puppenhochzeit
Was Dein Roter Mund Im Fr Sagt
Es Fein Anderer Weg Zur Seligkeit
SchLisa, Ssa
Wochenend und Sonnenschein
Auf Wiedersch'n My Dear

Customer Reviews:

Comedian Harmonists.......2003-05-23

A wonderful Selection of great Harmonies and Novelty Tunes by this Relatively Unknown Group in America , This terrific German Group is a must for anyone that enjoys Good Harmony and just Plain Vocal Fun with Sounds and Lyrics. Highly Recommended and Enjoyable.

Average customer rating:

Long overdue hedonism
Exquisite Songs; Mostly Good Performances
First recording of some awesomely gorgeous orchestral songs

Joseph Marx: Orchestral Songs

Manufacturer: Asv Living Era
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Joseph Marx: The Piano Concertos
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ASIN: B00025OGNK
Release Date: 2004-07-27

Tracks:

Hat Dich Die Liebe Beruhrt
Sommerlied
Maienbluten
Waldseligkeit
Marienlied
Zigeuner
Selige Nacht
Piemontesisches Volkslied
Standchen
Der Bescheidene Schafer
Barkarole
Jugend Und Alter
Die Liebeste Spricht
Sendung
Japanisches Regenlied
Venetianisches Wiegenlied
Erinnerung
Ein Abschied
Dezember
Lieder
In Meiner Traume Heimat
Auf Der Campagna

Customer Reviews:

Long overdue hedonism.......2004-12-10

There are those who may never hear these songs, and of them the best that can be said is that they will never know, and therefore not miss, how the mastery of orchestration here displayed, when allied to the most idiomatic and sumptuously recorded performances one could reasonably expect, has perhaps produced the outstanding classical vocal recording of the year.

For those unfamiliar with Joseph Marx, he was a long-lived composer (born Graz, Austria, in 1882) whose most familiar work consists of over a hundred published songs for voice and piano (there is a further untapped legacy of unpublished songs awaiting discovery) almost all composed between 1900 and the start of the First World War, and collected into four large folios by the Schuberthaus-Verlag/Universal Edition.

Marx came late to composition, against the wishes of his family, and was largely self-taught. The songs, like all his work roughly before 1930, carry a romantic power of expression to heights hardly scaled by any other composer before or since, and they revel in memorable, often bittersweet vocal lines which soar and float above colourful and expansive accompaniments which in their original versions frequently use the whole of the compass and emotional power of a great concert grand piano. The musical language sets Austrian charm and rhythm in tandem with Italian warmth and lyrical intensity. Marx had Austrian and Italian parents.

So what of the orchestral versions of the selection recorded here? The scoring allows added colour to come through, for example in solo work for individual instruments (the leading violin, for example, in "Marienlied" - one of Elisabeth Schumann's favourite Marx songs)and the many patches of imaginative scoring help the quite dense textures to come across at first hearing, for this is complex music which repays repeated study. Try "Zigeuner" for a full demonstration of the range of scoring on offer. It is a help that the scoring usually gives the impression that the pieces were composed for orchestra rather than being obvious transcriptions of piano music.

The two soloists are very well-chosen, and cope quite effortlessly with the music and the orchestral backdrop. Angela Maria Blasi's opening phrases in the quite gorgeous "Hat dich die Liebe berührt" are quite enough to convince you that here is a combination of star-like ability and meltingly lovely music, propelling you on through the programme.

Stella Doufexis is by no means less at ease, and projects more darkly the power of some of the repertoire using both vehemence and determination. Listen to the solemn but festive "Jugend und Alter" to hear this in action: Marx set a translation of a pithy piece by Walt Whitman, reminding us that old age is just round the corner, and just as irresistible as the zest and élan of youth.

Doufexis ends with the complete song cycle "Verklärtes Jahr": songs composed later in the composer's career, by which time Marx had joined the musical establishment in Austria eventually to become an honourary "Father of the House", a position he occupied until his death in 1964. The later songs are more diffuse and impressionistic, and might be said to work better at first hearing with orchestra than do their originals with piano accompaniment; they are, in this version, more immediately accessible.

Steven Sloane's direction and the orchestral playing are both fine, and the recording is suitably warm and resonant.

So, let me say that I have tried to whet your appetite, not only for this disc, but to explore the remaining song output of this composer, a man who provided such substance to his musical language that he out-Hollywooded Hollywood, before the latter had been invented. His only substantial stylistic rival, at all in the public eye, is Erich Wolfgang Korngold, whose song output is meagre, in terms of numbers, by comparison.

Exquisite Songs; Mostly Good Performances.......2004-10-15

[Update: This disc has just been nominated for a Grammy award.]

The review here dated August 7 was written by Berkant Haydin, an expert on the music of Joseph Marx, and I certainly don't have much to add to what he's written. Indeed, he also co-wrote the booklet notes for this release and his review is actually an abstract of those notes.

He's certainly right in saying that Marx's orchestral songs are luscious. The first set, eleven songs sung to perfection by soprano Angela Maria Blasi, are mostly short, usually strophic and have brilliant orchestral accompaniments and melodies reminiscent of Schubert, Schumann and Brahms. Marx was not only a master orchestrator, he had a fecund melodic gift. The last song (and longest at seven minutes), 'Barkarole,' ('Barcarolle') is rather different in that it is almost a symphonic poem with voice obbligato.

The next two sets of songs (six 'Songs for Middle Voice,' and 'Verklärtes Jahr' ['Transfigured Year'], a 'song symphony' of five movements) are sung by mezzo Stella Doufexis and unfortunately suffer a bit, to my ears, from the somewhat wearing quality of her voice, which seems to lack some degree of support and a clear central core. The songs themselves, however, are simply lovely. In the later set, written in 1930-1932, what has been called 'Romantic impressionism' is evident in the extremely intricate and wholly lovely orchestral writing. There are many moments that sound almost like Respighi, which is not too far-fetched as some of the music was inspired by Marx's love of Italy. Further, it quotes from his Second Piano Concerto, subtitled 'Castelli Romani' ('Roman Castles'). So, while Doufexis's performance leaves a bit to be desired, the music itself is extremely winning and deserves to be better known.

I understand that there is a real possibility that Marx's two piano concerti will be recorded and released some time in the next year or so. I have, through the kindness of Mr Haydin, heard old off-the-air recordings of those concerti and am eager to hear modern performances. And we're still awaiting a first recording of what some might consider Marx's masterpiece, his monumental 'Herbstsymphonie' ('Autumn Symphony').

TT=56:35

Scott Morrison

First recording of some awesomely gorgeous orchestral songs.......2004-08-07

To consider Joseph Marx merely a song composer is to see but the tip of the iceberg. For this highly educated and sophisticated composer from Graz not only wrote 150 songs and an impressive amount of orchestral, chamber, piano, organ and choral music, but he was also held in high esteem as one of the most active composition teachers, music officials and critics of Central European late romanticism in the 20th century.

It is, however, true that Marx's unparalleled career in Vienna and his international fame were originally due to the enormous success of his piano-accompanied songs, most of which - sung by Lotte Lehmann, Ljuba Welitsch, Elisabeth Schumann, Arleen Augér, Hermann Prey and many others - were composed before he turned 30, when he became a Doctor of Philosophy at Graz University. And yet his own style had already been formed: colourfully shimmering complex harmonies and remarkable melodic richness. His songs have much in common with those of Richard Strauss, although Marx uses a slightly more modern musical language, which is often reminiscent of works by Arnold Bax or his friends Franz Schreker and Erich W. Korngold, and occasionally resembles the music of other contemporaries such as Charles Martin Loeffler, Vitezslav Novák and Ottorino Respighi.

Responding to requests from artists and orchestras, and certainly with the intention of getting his works performed more often, Joseph Marx arranged some 20 of his songs for orchestra or string accompaniment. In this form they were performed by conductors such as Nikisch, Alwin, Loewe, von Hausegger, Krauss and Horvat. Yet these Orchestral Songs, in contrast to the frequently played piano-accompanied Lieder, are rarely performed and, with the exception of "Marienlied", have never been recorded. A listener who immerses himself in these lush harmonies soon discovers the incredible skill with which Marx set the texts and orchestrated the often demanding piano part. These works are, without doubt, among his most delightful compositions.

Inspired by a journey to Italy, Marx wrote the legendary song symphony "Verklärtes Jahr" that was premiered in February 1932 under Robert Heger and which can be heard at the end of the disc. With a positively intoxicating richness of sound, this mature work speaks of transience and the continual return of beauty and harmony.

This is music written by a profound lyrical composer and yearning optimist whose wish it was to share his neverending joie de vivre with other human beings. Thus it is that Joseph Marx occupies a very special place in music history as a poet of happiness.

Hopefully ASV will release the next volumes of this great series as quick as possible!

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Reise, Reise
Rammstein
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0007N38LI
Release Date: 2005-04-21

Tracks:

Reise, Reise
Mein Teil
Dalai Lama
Keine Lust
Los
Amerika
Moskau
Morgenstern
Stein Um Stein
Ohne Dich
Amour
Mein Teil [You Are What You Eat Edit]
Amerika [Digital Hardcore Mix]

Album Details

Japanese Limited Release featuring a Bonus Track, and a Bonus Dvd with 20 Minutes of Live Footage. Dvd is Ntsc, Region Code 2.

Average customer rating:

His best ever

Die Reise (The Journey)
Herbert Distel
Manufacturer: Hat Hut
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001YQ7
Release Date: 1994-04-11

Tracks:

Die Reise

Customer Reviews:

His best ever.......1998-09-13

I just heard a pre-release copy of his latest - Platterback. He just gets better and better!! I think he may finally make the transition to general/popular music with this musical/theatrical piece... thanks to the Westbrook talent.

Average customer rating:

Beethoven-Lieder, Volumes 1-3
Ludwig van Beethoven , Peter Schreier , and Walter Olbertz
Manufacturer: Berlin Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000035S9
Release Date: 1995-07-18

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Johann Strauss I Edition, Vol. 6

Manufacturer: Marco Polo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0007ORDTA
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Tracks:

Fra Diavolo-Cotillons, Op.41
Wiener Burgermarsch No.2: Marsch Nach Motiven Der Oper Zampa, O.Op.
Alexandra-Walzer, Op.56
Polka In Es, O.Op. (Zugeschr.)
Zampa-Walzer, Op.57
Jager-Polka, O.Op.
Mein Schonster Tag In Baden, Walzer, Op.58
Quadrille Nach Motiven Aus Der Oper Anna Bolena, O.Op.
Die Vier Temperamente, Walzer, Op.59
Reise-Galopp, Op.85
Carnevals-Spende, Walzer, Op.60

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Tabaluga Oder die Reise Zur Vernunft
Peter Maffay
Manufacturer: Bmg/Ariola Maffay
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000025L4W
Release Date: 1993-05-24

Tracks:

Einleitung
Tyrion
Tabalugas Lied
Lied des Mondes
Arbeit Ist das Halbe Leben
Riesen-Gl
Der Baum des Lebens
Drache und Salamander
Kaulquappenschule
Himmelsrieden
Die Delphine
Nessaja

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Film Music, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Capriccio
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0009RRRJQ
Release Date: 2005-01-01

Tracks:

Thema - Titelmusik
Agitato I - Schlitten
Agitato II - Reise
Walzer (Abschied)
Thema und Marsch
Epilog - Finale
Spazierge D. Wawilowa Durch Die Stadt
Hochzeit
Attacke
Spiel
Einzug in Die Stadt
Liebe
Keller
Regen
Traum
Wanderung der Verdammten
Einsicht

Weill - The Seven Deadly Sins · Mahagonny Songspiel / Ute Lemper · RIAS Berlin Sinfonietta · John Mauceri

Average customer rating:

Incomparable Lemper does Weill's best German song cycles

Weill - The Seven Deadly Sins · Mahagonny Songspiel / Ute Lemper · RIAS Berlin Sinfonietta · John Mauceri
Kurt Weill , John Mauceri , Ute Lemper , Susanne Tremper , RIAS Berlin Sinfonietta , Helmut Wildhaber , Peter Haage , Thomas Mohr , Manfred Jungwirth , and Jeff Cohen
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ute Lemper Sings Kurt Weill
Sings Kurt Weill, Vol. 2
Espace Indecent

ASIN: B0000041X7
Release Date: 1991-02-08

Tracks:

Seven Deadly Sins: Prologue: Andante sostenuto - Ute Lemper
Seven Deadly Sins: Sloth: Allegro vivace - Helmut Wildhaber/Peter Haage/Thomas Mohr/Manfred Jungwirth
Seven Deadly Sins: Pride: Allegretto, quasi andantino - Ute Lemper
Seven Deadly Sins: Anger: Molto agitato - Helmut Wildhaber/Peter Haage/Thomas Mohr/Manfred Jungwirth/Ute Lemper
Seven Deadly Sins: Gluttony: Largo - Helmut Wildhaber/Peter Haage/Thomas Mohr/Manfred Jungwirth
Seven Deadly Sins: Lust: Moderato - Ute Lemper
Seven Deadly Sins: Avarice: Allegro giusto - Helmut Wildhaber/Peter Haage/Thomas Mohr/Manfred Jungwirth
Seven Deadly Sins: Envy: Allegro non troppo - Ute Lemper
Seven Deadly Sins: Epilogue: Andante sostenuto - Ute Lemper
Mahagonny Songspiel, Part One: Prologue: No.1: Allegro non troppo - Helmut Wildhaber/Peter Haage/Thomas Mohr/Manfred Jungwirth
Mahagonny Songspiel, Part One: Prologue: Kleiner March: Poco meno - Rias Berlin Sym/Mauceri
Mahagonny Songspiel, Part One: Prologue: No.2: Moderato - Susanne Tremper/Ute Lemper
Mahagonny Songspiel, Part Two: Life in Mahagonny: No.3a: Vivace - Rias Berlin Sym/Mauceri
Mahagonny Songspiel, Part Two: Life in Mahagonny: No.3: Allegro un poco moderato - Helmut Wildhaber/Peter Haage/Thomas Mohr/Manfred Jungwirth
Mahagonny Songspiel, Part Two: Life in Mahagonny: No.4a: Vivace assai - Rias Berlin Sym/Mauceri
Mahagonny Songspiel, Part Two: Life in Mahagonny: No.4: Moderato assai - Susanne Tremper/Ute Lemper/Helmut Wildhaber/Peter Haage/Thomas Mohr/Manfred Jungwirth
Mahagonny Songspiel, Part Two: Life in Mahagonny: No.5a: Sostenuto - Rias Berlin Sym/Mauceri
Mahagonny Songspiel, Part Two: Life in Mahagonny: No.5: Lento - Susanne Tremper/Ute Lemper/Helmut Wildhaber/Peter Haage/Thomas Mohr/Manfred Jungwirth
Mahagonny Songspiel, Part Three: Finale: No.6: Largo - Susanne Tremper/Ute Lemper/Helmut Wildhaber/Peter Haage/Thomas Mohr/Manfred Jungwirth

Customer Reviews:

Incomparable Lemper does Weill's best German song cycles.......2005-10-01

`Ute Lemper Sings Kurt Weill, Volumes 1 and 2' released in 1988 and 1993, plus the third album of Weill's two most important song cycles in German, `The Seven Deadly Sins' (`Die sieben Todsunden') and `Mahagonny Songspiel' released in 1990 unequivocally established Ms. Lemper as the leading Kurt Weill interpreter since Lotte Lenya, Weill's wife and the singer for whom many of his vocal pieces were written. These three disks, sample pieces from most major Weill works written in German, including his most famous musical play, `The Threepenny Opera' (`Die Dreigroschenoper').

The first disc has fourteen tracks with three from `Der Silbersee' with lyrics by Kaiser, three from `Die Dreigroschenoper' with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht, two from `Berliner Requiem' with lyrics by Brecht, two from `Mahagonny' with lyrics by Mahagonny, `Je ne t'aime pas with French lyrics by Magre, and three from `One Touch of Venus' with English lyrics by S.J. Perelman and Ogden Nash.

The middle disc includes both works performed in their original German. After having listened to `The Seven Deadly Sins' done by several different artists, and having just reviewed a CD on which Anne Sofie von Otter does this work, I discover for the first time that the piece was written in two versions, one for a low voice and one for a high voice. Von Otter does the version for high voice and Lemper does the version for low voice that, I suspect, is the way it was originally performed by Fraulein Lenya. One service done by comparing Lemper and von Otter's performance is to see how much closer Lemper is to the original spirit of the work than is von Otter. Weill's venue was not the opera stages of Berlin or Vienna, it was the popular stage, actually much closer to what we see in the movie `Cabaret' than what we see in `Amadeus'. I enjoy von Otter's rendition, but Lemper stirs my heart where von Otter does not. Lemper also seems to have the benefit of a much better cast of supporting voices on the two works on Volume 1.

All albums are done with the backing of the RIAS Berlin Sinfonietta, conducted by John Mauceri who seems to get just the right tone of sleaze out of his ensemble to match the tone of the composition and lyrics by Weill and his various librettists, especially Berthold Brecht.

Volume 2 showcases Lemper's ability to sing with equal facility and understanding in German (Songs from `Happy End'), French (Songs from `Marie Galante'), and English (Songs from `Lady in the Dark'). While my understanding of French is far weaker than my understanding of the German and the English, when I compare Ms. Lemper's French interpretations with the French of Ms. Von Otter, I definitely prefer Lemper's treatment. She may not quite match Edith Piaf, but I feel she has a cachet all her own.

Lemper is a vocalist in that great European femme fatale tradition of Lenya, Piaf, and Dietrich and certainly to my lights the leading interpreter today of Weill's songs plus works by other European composers for the musical and cabaret (See her album `City of Strangers'). Compared to even some of the greatest contemporary American female vocalists on the stage such as Streisand and Minelli, both Yanks have their strength, but they can't or don't try to achieve the same depth of feeling behind the European `Weltschmertz' you hear from Lemper and her forerunners. The closest may be Minelli's performance as Sally Bowles in `Cabaret', but even there, she can't seem to hide her American innocence.

Of the three albums, the first of the three, `Ute Lemper Sings Kurt Weill' may be the best introduction, as it includes two of Weill's best English songs, `I'm a Stranger Here Myself' and `Speak Low'. The third, `Ute Lemper Sings Kurt Weill Vol. 2' has two of Weill's most famous German songs outside of `Die Dreigroschenoper', `Bilbao-Song' and `Surabaya-Johnny'.

If you encounter this review and have never heard Ute Lemper, I strongly urge you to try one of these albums. If the German and French turns you off, try Lemper's recent album, `Punishing Kiss'.

Very highly recommended.

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