Christa is a goddess. Old school funny. She's perfect at conjuring the perfect imagery, which is needed for the story to be told successfully. "Du muss das Bild Malen"
All I have to say is: OMG!!! Christa is an extremely intricate artist with microscopic precision, creativity, and artistry. Her musically is out of this world and as a teacher she is simply terrific. I am glad I know perfect German so that I am able to catch these pearls.
Also I am 100% sure that this student is NOT a real mezzo. She sounds like a Spinto or a young dramatic soprano but I lean more towards Spinto. Real Spinto voices have naturally fabulous low notes as it is a rather heavy voice! This woman is far from a mezzo soprano. Just because a female singer has good low notes that does not mean they are mezzos! The color of this voice screams soprano all over the place!
There is a thin line between passing on tradition and ‘you kids get off my lawn’. I am torn. I love Ludwig to my core, but I have to allow that other singers can have equally valid interpretations. The poor pianist - who is sooooo good. Just because he doesn’t play a passage just like Gerald Moore once did . No. If there were only one way to play or sing anything then there would be no need of any new artists, ever. This kind of public masterclass based on reality-show drama, is not helpful to anyone in the end. Art is born in the dark , from transgressive, strange and forceful souls. Master classes are lovely but they usually demand tribute acts instead of personal growth.
If the young people feel like they are confident with their interpretations they wouldn't sign up to be here. They are here because they feel like they are missing something and needing guidance and insights from the masters. Not to say that they should listen to everything, but whichever way it goes they have gathered great advice for their development.
Question is, do they have a reason for their interpretation. I know it would have been a stretch, but you could argue with Christa and say, "This is why I played it this way."
Just read the text, Christa is totally on point: This is dreadful weather, It’s raining and blowing and snowing; I sit at my window and stare Out into the darkness. One solitary light flickers out there, Moving slowly along; A little old woman with a lantern Totters across the street. I fancy it’s flour and eggs And butter she’s been buying; She’s going to bake a cake For her big little daughter. She lolls at home in the armchair, Blinking sleepily into the light; Her golden curls tumble down Over his sweet face.
