Topic: Strauss' Four Last Songs / Vier Letzte Lieder

[Mirror Image]

But you do like the Schwarzkopf/Szell, which would also be my desert island choice.

Sure, but my point is our tastes don't always coincide and since Piau has a lighter voice in Vier letzte Lieder, then it would stand to reason that the performance may not to be to your taste.

[KevinP]

Which Lucia Popp performance are you referring to? She's done two

Whichever one is in this box, which I can't access right now.

[MusicTurner]

Whichever one is in this box, which I can't access right now.

Discogs says Tennstedt/LPO about that box. There's at least a Tilson Thomas and a Solti live too, both lesser known.

Should I grab one right know, I'd probably take Margiano/De Waart on Brilliant Classics. Generally, she has a silvery, lighter voice. Among the others, I also have Norman/Masur, Janowitz/Karajan, Kanawa/Davis, Sass/Lukacs, Schwarzkopf/Szell etc. But IMO, probably none are perfect throughout, and they all have flaws. I don't think I have a Popp - maybe one will pop in later.

[Mirror Image]

Discogs says Tennstedt/LPO about that box. There's at least a Tilson Thomas and a Solti live too, both lesser known.

I think you're wrong about the Popp/Solti. Was it commercially available? I've never even heard of it. But Popp/Tennstedt and Popp/MTT definitely. I own both.

[MusicTurner]

I think you're wrong about the Popp/Solti. Was it commercially available? I've never even heard of it. But Popp/Tennstedt and Popp/MTT definitely. I own both.

It exists at least as a DVD release from Decca-Unitel, 'Sir Georg Solti - The Maestro'. Can also be seen/heard on you-t.

[Brewski]

My faves, with a pretty wide range. There are very few recordings that I've not liked (and now can't even think of any). When I'm not satisfied, it's not usually the singer, but the conductor's phrasing and tempi, e.g., too fast.

Janowitz / Karajan (my intro to the piece)
Fleming / Thielemann
Popp / Tennstedt
Norman / Masur
Isokoski / Janowski
Schwarzkopf / Szell

--Bruce

[KevinP]

Have:
Schwarzkopf (Ackerman and Szell)
Te Kanawa
Lucia Popp
Leontyne Price
Janowitz

Ordered:
Jessye Norman
Isokoski

I'm glad I didn't listen to the advice here and order the della Casa recording. Turns out I have a copy in the 55-disc Decca Sound box. Each disc is a different singer and I can never remember what's in it. Will be spinning this tonight.

CTRL-f also revealed a second (or more accurately, first) Janowitz.

In a way I miss the days of knowing everything I have; in another, it's fun to discover things already on your shelves.

[Mirror Image]

It exists at least as a DVD release from Decca-Unitel, 'Sir Georg Solti - The Maestro'. Can also be seen/heard on you-t.

No wonder I never heard of it. I thought you were talking about a CD recording.