Customer Reviews

Jessye Norman Sings Alban Berg

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

 

 

Alban Berg and "tender and lovely"? Not the usual association one makes...at least I didn't. Berg writes aching and delicious melodies to his bittersweet text selections and Ms. Norman delivers them memorably. A winner of a CD, and I am sure one that has not gotten its due.

The fact that its Jessye Norman performing these songs is not the only reason why I think this is a great record. I think this record gives you a great view on the evolution of Alban Berg as a composer. The three different sets of songs belong to a different period in his life: the early songs are still truely romantic, the "Seven early songs" show a composer searching for new ways of expression and the Altenberg-lieder show him using a totally new and different soundscape. I think Jessye Norman is the perfect singer for these songs, the early 20th century repertoire suits her perfectly (she has made beautiful recordings of works of Arnold Shönberg as well). It's just a pity that these last years she seems to focus on singing Christmas carols and other easy listening music.

I wouldn't worry too much about the disc length, or the fact that other filler wasn't 'thrown in'. This performance is truly an appreciation of Berg, and so strikingly beautiful that I would recommend it as an excellent way to warm up to the Second Viennese School if you are not already an admirer of this era and genre.

As always, I wonder why Recording Companies insult buyers by throwing us 44 minute discs - like crumbs to a dog - especially when presenting a wonderful artist in repertoire she does exceptionally well, better in fact than in just about any rival recording. Why not give as the cantata "Der Wein" as well, and at least shove this issue into the low 50's or a chunk of Schoenberg or Zemlinsky, or Mahler, whose music echoes through the best of Berg. As for the performance, I have not heard any of these songs sung with more opulence, beauty of line and tone and a sense of "generosity". Avoid Popp's "7Early songs" like the plague, and even Bonney does not thrill me half as much. Von Otter is wonderful and a great artist, but Norman just has the edge for luxuriant sound and effortless colouration, quite giving the lie to the idea of this music being overly cerebral. Pity the disclength is so ungenerous.

I am not a fan of this type of music, and in truth have to be in the mood to even sit through it. That is, usually. I have other recordings of these works by other singer, and though they are fine, they never impressed me. When I found the recording with Jessye Norman ( and mostly because I love her voice immeasurably ), I decided to give them another chance. I was not disappointed! Norman's wondrous voice actually gives you the impression you are listening to great music. She gives it a warmth, and an aura that is unbelievable. This music is not great music and will never be in the class of Beethoven or even Verdi or Puccini, nor even Schubert, however, when sung by a truly great voice ( and not the mediocre ones that usually sing it )it does truly sore. If you wish to be introduced to Berg, this is by far the best recording to start with. You may even come to love his music and have the courage to try out some other things he composed.