Watch 4 Last Songs – latest and loveliest
OrchestrasIt’s Asmik Grigorian with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, conductor Mikko Franck.
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Goodness, this soprano generates a lot of Kool-Aid adulation!
Loveliest??? Don’t think I’ll be giving away my Janowitz, Popp #1, Jurinac, Norman, della Casa, Schwarzkopf #1, Isokoski or te Kanawa performances any time soon.
Can’t we just enjoy this performance for its own sake? You have exquisite taste we get it. Stop showing off.
Speaking of lovely, the one problem with grand voices is that even the top notes are lovely, but very difficult to deliver.
In addition to the famous recording with Masur, Jessye Norman has a video with Sawallisch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdRq7ynfkHs
I find it rather surprising the most lyrical delivery is that of a dramatic soprano.
There is also a superb live version with Sawallisch and Dame Margaret Price. Sadly never issued on CD but still available on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYpupWt7PRI
Strauss’ great Weltabschiedswerk.
Beautiful performance.
NB: The singer dresses not in a conspicuous, attention-seeking way, as to not distract attention from the music. That is how it should be done.
I fully agree with the down thumbs here! What a waste for her to not want to shine in some beautiful ball gown, we need all we have to win!
Sally
Wonderful! Thanks for posting this Norman. Sits very high now in my list of favourite performances of this glorious work – maybe even heads it. What a voice, and what sensitivety and musicality.
Thank you so much! It was absolutely sublime, including the orchestra. Hopefully we’ll be able to experience this in Cleveland next year.
Not as bad as Netrebko, but definitely not very good.
I think it’s a toss-up.
With all due respect, ridiculous comment.
While the premiere performance with Kirsten Flagstad (May 22, 1950) might not be the “loveliest,” it does have Furtwangler conducting and Dennis Brain playing the French horn.
I always want to know the names of the concertmaster and first horn …..
Breathtakingly beautiful, sheer bliss. Asmik is heavenly and Mikko Franck coequals her.
Most music lovers don’t listen to the music but to the performer(s).