COMPOSERS: Brahms,Mahler,Schumann,Wolf & Franck
LABELS: DG
ALBUM TITLE: Collection: Christa Ludwig Ð a Tribute
WORKS: Kindertotenlieder; Rückert Lieder; Alto Rhapsody
PERFORMER: Christa Ludwig (mezzo-soprano), Erik Werba, Daniel Barenboim (piano); Vienna Singverein, Vienna PO/Karl Böhm, Orchestre de Paris/Daniel Barenboim, Berlin PO/Herbert von Karajan
CATALOGUE NO: 459 335-2 Reissue (1968-79)
A worthy tribute indeed, taking in Ludwig’s moving account of the Alto Rhapsody, a rare Nocturne by César Franck that highlights her rich velvety tones, and two Mahler cycles – the Kindertotenlieder and the Rückert Songs, both with Karajan – showing how much her interpretative skills brought to such music. In addition there are selections fromWolf’s Italian Songbook, with both singer and pianist (Daniel Barenboim) completely inside the music, and from Schumann’s Op. 39 Liederkreis, more prosaically accompanied by Erik Werba, who also plays for Wolf’s Mignon songs. With the most minor of reservations, strongly recommended. George Hall
Brahms, Mahler, Schumann, Wolf & Franck
A worthy tribute indeed, taking in Ludwig’s moving account of the Alto Rhapsody, a rare Nocturne by César Franck that highlights her rich velvety tones, and two Mahler cycles – the Kindertotenlieder and the Rückert Songs, both with Karajan – showing how much her interpretative skills brought to such music. In addition there are selections fromWolf’s Italian Songbook, with both singer and pianist (Daniel Barenboim) completely inside the music, and from Schumann’s Op. 39 Liederkreis, more prosaically accompanied by Erik Werba, who also plays for Wolf’s Mignon songs.
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:13 pm