Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra

Richard [1] Strauss (Composer), Klaus Tennstedt (Conductor), London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Lucia Popp (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Lucia Popp
• Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Klaus Tennstedt
• Composer: Richard [1] Strauss
• Audio CD (August 10, 1999)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00000JQYC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #28,257 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lucia Popp!!!, December 29, 2000

By	Andre (Twin Cities, MN) - See all my reviews

She is my only reason to buy this disk, although the other recordings (the Also Sprach Zarathustra and Don Juan) are quite nicely done. Lucia did two recordings that I know of of the Four Last Songs. One with Tennstedt, and one with Michael Tilson Thomas. This one is with Tennstedt and is by far the best version she did, not to mention ever done on recordings. Period. Here she was fresh voiced, so artistic, so insightful, and so masterful with how to take advantage of Richard Strauss' beautiful score. No other singer comes close... not Schwarzkopf, not Janowitz, and yes, not even Fleming. Tennstedt conducts everything beautifully and pays close attention to every detail. I guarantee it is the most magical Four Last Songs you have ever heard!!! I'd recommend the original release, the one with "Death and Configuration," but unfortunately it is hard to find that CD. I have it though!

All in all, this is singing on its highest level, as though from heaven... Not enough superlatives can be used. Many critics, colleagues, and teachers with whom I have spoken and given this CD to listen to, say they haven't heard better. I trust their opinion and at this bargain-basement price, you can easily take a gamble and trust my advice. Buy it! You won't be disappointed.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'd be crazy not to get this, March 6, 2005

By	William Ellis (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Tennstedt had a fairly brief heyday, in which he was celebrated mostly for his Mahler recordings. He was a very fine Straussian too, and rather quietly accumulated several fine Strauss performances when he had the LPO at their best. This Zarathustra stands among the best, with Tennstedt emphasizing the lyric beauty and long line of Strauss, all to the work's benefit.

Don Juan has received many good recordings and this is one of them. I stayed engaged through this whole performance, though, as a passionate Strauss lover, I am ashamed to admit I sometimes wander during Don Juan because I've heard it so many times.

Ahh, but the clencher: I had the privilege of hearing Lucia Popp sing the 4 Last Songs in Los Angeles, Giulini conducting, shortly after she made this recording. I agree with Andre - this is the recording I'd take to the desert island. She and Tennstedt are as one, and her total involvement in the meaning of the music, her infinite range of nuance, and the plaintive beauty of her voice combine in a 4 Last Songs for the ages. As cliched as it is, if ever there was art that conceals art, Popp had it. Every time I hear this performance I feel that she and Tennstedt are sharing their deepest experiences and their love of Strauss with me.

By the way, I have the original CD issue too, and the remastering on this disc has solved some of the problems with the early digital sound.

All this for $6.99.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't miss this, June 13, 2000

By	Daryl Bullis (Albany, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of those gems that should not be missed. This is a recording that has been lurking in EMI's budget catalog for years, and now reappears in an even cheaper re-release. This cd would be worth it alone for the Also Sprach Zarathustra, but the addition of the Don Juan, and the Vier Letzte Lieder make this a cd that should grace everyone's collection.

The Zarathustra is powerful indeed, Tennstedt's rendering of a fascinating score highlighted by terse and powerful efforts from all sections of this amazing orchestra. I had been "hooked" on Karajan's early 80's rendering for years, but this cd has won me over completely.

The Vier Letzte Lieder cap this cd perfectly with an outstanding performance by Lucia Popp. What I originally thought would be a voice too light for this, I looked back at similar "light" voices who have done very well with this (e.g. Gundula Janowitz). Tennstedt masters the orchestra perfectly to complement Popp, who takes Hesse's and von Eichendorff's poetry to their musical heights. A penetrating, powerful, and beautiful recording...and [at this price], how can you resist?

All praise to Tennstedt, his orchestra, Lucia Popp, EMI, and to Strauss himself.