Richard Strauss - Ein Heldenleben, Four Last Songs / Auger, Previn

Hermann Hesse (Artist), Joseph von Eichendorff (Artist), Richard Strauss (Composer), Andre Previn (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Arleen Auger (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Arleen Auger
• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Andre Previn
• Composer: Richard Strauss
• Audio CD (September 24, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B000003CV6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,778 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #71 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Tone Poems

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The late Arleen Auger sings the Four Last Songs very touchingly, but this disc is really a showcase for André Previn and the Vienna Philharmonic. Previn has always been a fine Strauss conductor, and he is on record as saying that the four-disc set of Strauss tone poems that he recorded for Telarc is his personal favorite among his many recordings. It's easy to see why. The playing is alive with character. Previn keeps matters moving smartly, and Telarc lets nothing come between the listener and this magnificent orchestra. Strauss, for all his skill as a dramatic composer, has a weak sense of musical timing. He frequently never knew when to stop. With playing of this quality, you almost wish he never would. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine Heldenleben, profoundly beautiful Four Last Songs, September 8, 2000

By 

Jason - See all my reviews

This review is from: Richard Strauss - Ein Heldenleben, Four Last Songs / Auger, Previn (Audio CD)

Although perhaps not as known as Herbert von Karajan or Georg Solti for interpretations of Richard Strauss, Andre Previn also specializes in music by the late German Romantic composer. Although his interpretation of "Ein Heldenleben" (A Hero's Life) does not quite play with nuances in quite the same way as Karajan and Solti, Previn conducts a very fine interpretation with dedicated playing from the Vienna Philharmonic and an atmosphere of grandeur befitting this piece. Unfortunately, there are no track cues for the separate sections of Strauss' quasi-autobiographical, but ultimately tongue-in-cheek, tone poem.

As a side note, many people mistaken "Heldenleben" for an ego trip. Actually, it is Strauss' ironic play on the whole idea of artist as hero. (Strauss was into irony and self-parody long before it became popular among my contemporaries.) Although he considered himself as worthy a musical subject as "Napoleon or Alexander the Great," Strauss told his friend Romain Rolland, "I am not a hero. I haven't got the necessary strength; I am not cut out for battle; I prefer to withdraw, to be quiet, to have peace..." (For more, see Michael Kennedy's excellent 1999 biography "Richard Strauss: Man, Musician, Enigma.") Perhaps he intended most of "Heldenleben" to be ironic, but the pastoral conclusion may have resonated more deeply with him.

As an appropriate segue, Strauss' "Four Last Songs" (written nearly 50 years after "Heldenleben") follows the pastoral section of Strauss' irony-laced musical autobiography. I have yet to hear an interpretation that matches the spiritual beauty and intensity of theone on this recording. Kurt Masur's interpretation with Jessye Norman's golden voice may be beautiful, but it moves a bit too slowly. Although one would expect much from Karajan, his version with Gundula Janowitz seems to lack the dreamy twilight quality that makes these songs so special. Listening to Previn's interpretation with Arleen Auger as soloist, I feel like I've entered that dreamy twilight world. Never too fast nor too slow, Auger and the Vienna Philharmonic flow quite naturally with the music's "geist" under Previn's lead. This interpretation should put to rest the allegation that Strauss' music lacks a spiritual element. And like any true spiritual experience, words are inadequate to describe the profound beauty of this interpretation of Strauss' final gift to the world.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Last Songs for your collection., May 11, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Richard Strauss - Ein Heldenleben, Four Last Songs / Auger, Previn (Audio CD)

Previn is understandably proud of his Strauss recordings. This recording includes Ein Heldenlaben and it compares favorably with the famous Reiner/CSO album from the '50's. The real show stopper here is the Songs, and I'm sure it'll be compared with the Karajan/Janowitz performance. For one thing,Auger's voice isn't as powerful(Some people call it "creamy",whatever that is.)as Janowitz's. Auger's voice has a more tender, human quality that's a pleasure to hear. For another,Previn's tempos are different than Karajan's. Im Adendrot,for instance,is a full minute slower than Karajan's But, you're gonna love that extra minute! It's truly majestic. The recorded sound is up to Telarc's high standard. There's something about it that makes you want to TURN IT UP. I'm not trading in my Karajan CD,but this one stays as well.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Four Last Songs on CD, June 29, 2002

By 

William J. Finn "wjf88" (Sarasota Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Richard Strauss - Ein Heldenleben, Four Last Songs / Auger, Previn (Audio CD)

The Ein Heldenlieben is a fine recording, but I am primarly recommending this disc because of the wonderful performance of the Four Last Songs. Previn and the Vienna Philharmonic achieve an incredible orchestral beauty and intensity, and Auger doesn't fudge a single note. I frequently play this recording multiple times in a single sitting just to make sure I am not dreaming. Very highly recommended.