Customer Reviews

Der Silbersee

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I participated in the stage production and subsequent recording of this version on the Nonesuch label, so I can state authoritatively that it is not in German and, therefore, not the recording reviewed by Brett Farrell elsewhere on this page. I don't think it's fair for me to review it, so I'm giving it an average rating because I have to enter something.

I bought this copy of Der Silbersee right when I first discovered that I love the music (especially the pre-potsdam Weill) of kurt weill. I thought it was alright but nothing compared to Happy End or Three Penny Opera. I then started to diversify my taste and fell in love with the seven deadly sins and retried this opera (not really an opera I know)and still wasn't into it. then I bought all of Ute Lemper-Weill albums and loved the songs from this opera that she sang so I thought maybe I just didn't care for the recording and bought the RCA label recording. It made a world of difference. I can not stop listening to that recording. I am seriously debating on reselling this one as it will now only take up space.
The differences are pretty big. The sound quality on both is equal with neither better than the other but with this recording you can not get around the dialogue. It's the begining and ending of every track. If you don't speak german it gets very annoying and it's impossible to program out. With the RCA recording there is just about no dialogue and what dialogue there is part of the song as opposed to proceding or following it.
Then comes the really momumental difference. The singers on this recording are nothing compared to the RCA one. The RCA singers bring passion and life to every song which is a hard thing to do considering how blaise the communist plot on human equality is. Plus the tempo is better with the RCA recording. In this recording it's generaly slow and lifeless.
I just about never write bad reviews because it's not in my nature, I couldn't even give this item 1 star because I'm afraid there could be redeeming factors that I'm possibly missing plus anyone who records the works of Kurt Weill deserves at least 3 stars but honestly I would not buy this album (unless it's the one I'm reselling). The price is comprable to the RCA one so just get that one and enjoy.