This is such a fantastic song, using equally fantastic lyrics by Goethe. Both the poet and the composer delve deeply into Gretchen‘s (Margaret‘s) soul, her psychological state, her world of thoughts... and Schubert completes what Goethe could not: the sound of the spinning wheel moving in harmony with Gretchen's thoughts - steadily, faster, then a stopping point... then the slow, almost reluctant resumption of the thoughts... Absolutely great! 🌹🌹🌹 A masterpiece beautifully sung and sensitively interpreted by one of the most distinguished Lieder singers of her time, the Scottish soprano Dame Isobel Baillie… ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you for sharing this exquisite recording! 🙏🍀
Fantastic is right and it is always very moving indeed. Isobel Baillie for me is one of the all-time great sopranos. Thank you so much for your interesting analysis of the composition. I also love Kathleen Ferrier's version : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-epkM1i0oXuc.html
Truly an amazing recording from another world of amazing singers. There really is nothing like it today,just as there are no National styles as there once was.
The great Marcella Sembrich. She was a protegee and rival of Adelina Patti's. According to the baritone, Emilio de Gogorza, when Sembrich first arrived, it was "nip and tuck" with Patti. He also states that her real year of birth was 1855 rather than 1858. By the late 1890s, her voice had become somewhat drier, but she remained an artist of the highest caliber. This little ditty was recorded by Sembrich several times, as well as by Tetrazzini. John Freestone writes that Tetrazzini's recording, while technically wonderful, lacks the charm of an Ivogun, Hempel, or Siems. I would imagine he might have thought the same about Sembrich's recording.
Very delightful! A song that exudes lightness, brightness, happiness… and a singer with the (coloratura) skills to bring it to full bloom… 🌸🌸🌸 Thanks for sharing! 🙏🍀
Wonderful sung by one of the great musical prodigies - Sembrich was equally proficient as violinist and pianist, but as Liszt himself told her, her singing would take her the farthest. But of course the piece is by Johann Strauß son (with an ß not double ss)
@@grahamrankin We actually see two spellings for all the „Strausses“ or „Straußes“; whenever you look them up, you will find a disagreement on what was correct. Not even the publishers of sheet music or the record producers seem to be able to agree on an „official spelling“. Josef Strauss usually signed as „Strauss“, and the the spelling “Strauss” can also be found on most of the posters and (first) printed editions of the family’s compositions. Why mostly and not always? Please don‘t ask me…! It just seems that both of you are right!
A German folk song from the nineteenth century (oldest version: 18th century), and a song of deep love and devotion… Very lovely - as is the charming performance by Florence Easton… 🌹🌹🌹 Thank you for the beautiful post! 🙏🍀
There are a lot of things I admire in singers; the lightness and effortlessness of the tone, and the beauty of the timbre are definitely part of it! And both are among the amazing assets of Eidé Norena… ⭐️🌹⭐️ Thank you for sharing this magnificent recording! 🙏🍀 May I add that this is actually an aria from „Carmen“ by Bizet - „Je dis que rien ne m‘épouvante“…
Of course, there are different ways to perform and interpret a Lied. You can approach it as naturally as possible, or emotionally, or in depth psychology. Gerhard Hüsch decided on a straight-forward interpretation approach (as he usually did) and put himself trustingly in the hands of the poet and composer, using their empathy, their psychological skills, as the basis for his own performance. Plain sensitivity embedded in excellent vocals. No frills necessary. ⭐️🌹⭐️ Thank you for sharing this great recording! 🙏🍀
@@grahamrankin Oh dear, that was not intentional! Just a typo. Or a setting in my brain on a subconscious level... Perhaps I should correct it, or people will think I‘m daft! I once had a typo in another singer‘s name (missing a letter) and an avid fan was so enraged by my „stupidity“ that she practically jumped into my face. We don't want something like that to happen again - here. 😅 To explain this exchange of comments to an occasional reader: I accidentally spelled Gerhard Hüsch's last name "Hübsch". And „hübsch“ means pretty.
A somewhat idiosyncratic voice and also a somehow idiosyncratic singer. Neither - voice or singer - could be pressed into a mold... and that's what makes it so exciting to listen to Karl Erb... 🌹🌹🌹 I love Schubert‘s „Litanei“, it‘s one of the songs I want to be played at my funeral… I just couldn’t decide yet about the singer… Thank you for the noteworthy and rewarding recording! 🙏🍀
You are very polite and psoitive-thinking ! I see from these comments and those you have made elsewhere that you are not over-enamoured by Karl Erb. Not being a professional singer, I have to say I like his singing---but that is only a very humble opinion. The composition is truly stunning and I too could well see it performed at my funeral. But who should sing it.....?! What joy is in store listening endlessly to make a decision !
@@grahamrankin Oh, please, don‘t get me wrong! I like Karl Erb despite the fact that he wasn‘t the perfect singer. Sometimes I‘m not satisfied with what I hear, and sometimes I think it‘s thrilling simply because that tenor had something special. He wasn‘t happy with his voice teacher (or voice teachers in general) and stopped taking lessons, and then he often wasn‘t happy with his own vocals, feeling that he lacked something. He probably did. But he also had something others didn‘t have, and that is the exciting element about him. I own a very nice CD set with his recordings. So, I do like him. In a different way than I like tenors like Gigli, Völker, Tauber, McCormack… and others. But thank you for thinking I‘m polite. I try to be. I hope I succeed when it‘s necessary… 😅 Can we have an agreement? Let‘s postpone our funerals and the necessity to pick a certain recording! What do you think?
@@hrbooksmusic7878 That is an excellent and well-balanced exposition of your opinions---thank you very much and I quite understand. Regarding our funerals, I should like to extend the time frame as long as possible but, when we talk of tomorrow, the Gods laugh. Fingers crossed...............
@@grahamrankin Thank you very much for your indulgence, which I certainly need sometimes! And thank you for your patience when I start rambling! Yes, we are postponing our funeral! If possible, very, very far into the future! 👍 God willing…
There’s more than just one Memnon… a historical and a mythological one. The latter must have been more inspiring, or at least that‘s what Johann Mayrhofer probably thought when he wrote his poem, and Schubert obviously agreed, because he chose to set it to music. And what fine music it is! ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you for sharing this great Lied and performance! 🙏🍀
@@grahamrankin Yes, you are absolutely right! Then, at some point, they started to drift apart… As far as I know Schubert set to music several of Mayrhofer’s poems, although the only other two that come to my mind are „Fahrt zum Hades“ and „Lied eines Schiffers an die Dioskuren“… Must think some more!
Poignant, moving and tender… ⭐️🌹⭐️ I can‘t actually think of a better or more touching rendition of this charming, melancholy, wistful song… ❤️ Thank you for sharing this magnificent recording! 🙏🍀
I've been listening to this record for more years than I care to admit. As I became more familiar with it I started to listen more closely to the orchestra accompaniment which I've found to be very enjoyable in itself.
Such a charming song, tinged with a bit of melancholy in the face of reminiscing… and a beautiful, sensitive, atmospheric performance by the great John McCormack… 🌹🌹🌹 Thank you for the wonderful post! 🙏🍀
Simple, pure, unpretentious, beautiful and noble singing without any superfluous mannerisms… Lotte Schöne surely was a lovely, sensitive singer and artist with a highly attractive voice… 🌹⭐️🌹 Thank you for sharing this delightful, elegant ans very rewarding performance! 🙏🍀
Performed with so much depth… and I‘m not referring to Marian Andersson‘s beautifully warm contralto voice… 🌹⭐️🌹 Thank you for sharing this wonderful recording! 🙏🌹 Music, lyrics and voice go straight to the heart… ❤️
Every recording by Aksel Schiøtz is a gift and an immense enrichment - including this one... 🌞🌞🌞 He was indeed an amazing artist! Thank you for the beautiful post! 🙏🍀
@@grahamrankin Thank you! I‘m planning on working - no, enjoying!!! - my way through more of your recent uploads today. Ten sounds like a nice and appropriate number, don‘t you think?
@@grahamrankin But music is part of my life! And it‘s one of the best parts too! 😄 Btw, I didn‘t make it up to ten yesterday, I had to finish listening after number nine. So don‘t worry!
What a singer and what a voice! I know Kirsten Flagstad with quite some Wagner, and as the amazing artist she was, her Lieder singing was also magnificent! ⭐️🌹⭐️ Thank you for sharing this beautiful performance (by both artists - excellent!) of this exquisite song! 🌟🌟🌟
Incomparable singing from Flagstad: that almost goes without saying, but a mention must be made of the inestimable contribution by Gerald Moore as accompanist.
I agree wholeheartedly. What a magnificent and world-class pianist he was, adding huge quality, sensitivity and feeling to any of the great artists he accompanied. Not an unsung hero at all but so good to appreciate him always. Many thanks for the opportunity John !
