Customer Reviews

Richard Strauss: Lieder

5 star:		(3)
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This is a recording that I will wear out. I've listened to this literally hundreds of times, and I still hear things I never noticed before. I was given the audiocassette version as a gift, then bought a CD for myself. Every track on this is performed flawlessly by both Norman and Parsons. The full depth of tone of Ms. Norman's voice is perfect for the richness of the writing of Strauss. It is supremely difficult to choose favorites, though "Befreit" is one of the most soulful performances of anything I've ever heard. Read the text, and you'll see why. The lovely "Ich trage meine minne", and the hopeful "Allerseelen" are gorgeous, as well.

I can't let this one get by without mentioning Geoffrey Parsons' accompaniment; in this recording, he embodies all that is great about the best musical partnerships. His playing supports Ms. Norman in every way: he matches her strength and yet lets her voice shine. His sensitivity and understanding of the text and music are truly spectacular.

This is one for the ages, in my library.

I recently discovered Norman with her Four Last Songs even though I didn't think they out ranked Lisa Della Casas' version hers were trully moving. Although what did get to me were the strauss songs after it. Her Morgen, oh what gorgeous sounds. Play that late one evening with a glass of champagne. All the songs were just wonderfully suited to her vocie and that powerful middle voice.

So I bought this the very next day and it is glorious from Stanchen (delicious) to Malven it is perfect. Trully a great Strauss interpreter. Bravo Jessye. I recommend to everyone, along with her Salome, Erwantung, and Cabaret songs, Gurrelieder and anything else she has done. Except the Brahms lieder which her vocie is way to big for.

If you enjoy Jessye Norman doing lieder, the this is about as good as it gets. The long drawn out phrases of Strauss really suit Jessye's voice. Her voice was at the peak of it's form at the time of this recording and her artistry is impeccable. I nearly wore this CD out. Buy it and enjoy.