Customer Reviews

On the Air #1: Chesterfield Broadcasts 1934-36

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This record shows us a side of Ponselle I've never known before. I now realize just how hurried her old 78's were. The pacing of the songs and arias here is breathtaking in its sweep. And how large the voice sounds! No Ponselle lover will want to miss this one. Sound quality isn't always great. But as a companion to her studio releases, this record is without peer.

Not 5 stars because at times Ponselle sound like she is in another room and some of the selections are real trash. But - the warmth, line and drama are magnificent and in a few spots the sheer size is amazing - no commercial recording does justice to the size of her voice.

Even Callas, not always the kindest or most objective observer of other sopranos, admitted that Ponselle was the greatest. Callas said that Tebaldi had a lovely voice but who cares? The thousands who went to hear sold out performances and the millions who purchased her recording are those who cares.

Back to Ponselle - her line breath and dramatic interpretations are amazing - I wish I could have heard her complete Norma on stage. I know the critics hated her Carmen they said it was too vulgar. Sounds amazingly intense and vocally impeccable to me, after all, Carmen was closer to a [..] than a debutante.