BaL 11.03.17 - Schoenberg: Gurrelieder

**Barbirollians** · 04-03-17, 23:57

The Rattle is terrific and I have never felt the need for another version .

**Pulcinella** · 05-03-17, 08:11

Only Boulez in the big Sony box here.
I had the previously available 2CD issue, but passed it on (you know who you are!) when I got the big box, losing the booklet and libretto in the process.
But I found the text here, and it includes an English translation:

http://www.brilliantclassics.com/media/445691/94724-Schoenberg-Gurrelieder-Sung-Texts-Download.pdf

**verismissimo** · 05-03-17, 09:03

It's Boulez for me (with the divine Yvonne Minton among others).

But I think they all - so many of them! - have to get past Stokowski. I have a version by him with the Philadelphia from 1932. NLA?

**Conchis** · 05-03-17, 09:34

Chailly on Decca is my preferred version, though I also have Boulez (1974) and Rattle.

**Conchis** · 05-03-17, 09:35

I predict a win for Sinopoli!

**ferneyhoughgeliebte** · 05-03-17, 09:36

Originally posted by verismissimo View Post

But I think they all - so many of them! - have to get past Stokowski. I have a version by him with the Philadelphia from 1932. NLA?

I have that on a pair of RCA LPs. It doesn't seem to be available on CD, but there is a very cheap MP3 download, if you don't mind sound that gives the impression you're overhearing it from an old transistor radio in somebody's room upstairs:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002H2Z9FK

... could do with a sooper-dooper remastering!

At the other extreme of sonic representation, the Markus Stenz HYPERION disc should receive great praise for the recorded sound at least. Pretty good performance, too - but is there a duff performance on any of these recordings? It seems to be one of those works that, if they're going to the effort of doing at all, they do very well. (Boulez, Craft, Sinopoli, Ozawa [on cassettes] as well as the Stokowski in my collection.)

Many thanks, again, Alpie - one I'm greatly looking forward to.

**Cockney Sparrow** · 05-03-17, 10:00

Originally posted by Pulcinella View Post

I found the text here, and it includes an English translation:
http://www.brilliantclassics.com/med...s-Download.pdf

Thanks - all libretto / text/ booklet download links gratefully received! Also, just to say, on my browser (Firefox, Windows 7) clicking on the link sends the PDF straight to my download folder - the web page that comes up is blank.

**Petrushka** · 05-03-17, 10:01

The very first Gurrelieder I bought was the Kubelik on LP in May 1975, not discovering it was on CD until 2011. Despite also having Salonen, Craft, Boulez, Chailly and Sinopoli, that Kubelik recording remains my first choice. It comes across (it's a live recording from 1968) with great power and immediacy and I wouldn't be without it.

I'm not sure why I've never bought the Rattle or Abbado sets, particularly as I saw Rattle give this work live in Birmingham. My top live performances include that Rattle plus two more at the Proms: Boulez with the National Youth Orchestra in 1987 and a 1994 First Night (BBCSO/Davis) that included the legendary Hans Hotter in the speakers role. Even at the age of 85 he had a towering presence and I was lucky enough to meet him after the concert.

**ferneyhoughgeliebte** · 05-03-17, 10:40

Originally posted by Petrushka View Post

The very first Gurrelieder I bought was the Kubelik on LP in May 1975, not discovering it was on CD until 2011. Despite also having Salonen, Craft, Boulez, Chailly and Sinopoli, that Kubelik recording remains my first choice. It comes across (it's a live recording from 1968) with great power and immediacy and I wouldn't be without it.

The DG Privilege gatefold double LP, with the cubist painting on the cover? Splendid set; Kubelik was a fine Schönberg conductor - the Ferencsik with Janet Baker appeared at around the same time, and that, too, is very good.

I'm not sure why I've never bought the Rattle or Abbado sets, particularly as I saw Rattle give this work live in Birmingham.

The Rattle is available for pennies from the marketplace (under a fiver for "Used").

Boulez with the National Youth Orchestra in 1987

I was there, too - sitting close to a chap who had the Berg Vocal Score with him; far too big to be practical! Jessye Norman quite superb - almost as good as she was in a broadcast of a Live performance with Ozawa given in Paris and which I taped from the afternoon broadcast. For a couple of years, this was my only recording of the work - much better than the (still very good) studio recording they made for Philips, which I bought on the strength of that performance - it eventually got chewed by my ancient car tape player in the late '90s.

**Conchis** · 05-03-17, 11:45

Originally posted by Petrushka View Post

The very first Gurrelieder I bought was the Kubelik on LP in May 1975, not discovering it was on CD until 2011. Despite also having Salonen, Craft, Boulez, Chailly and Sinopoli, that Kubelik recording remains my first choice. It comes across (it's a live recording from 1968) with great power and immediacy and I wouldn't be without it.

I'm not sure why I've never bought the Rattle or Abbado sets, particularly as I saw Rattle give this work live in Birmingham. My top live performances include that Rattle plus two more at the Proms: Boulez with the National Youth Orchestra in 1987 and a 1994 First Night (BBCSO/Davis) that included the legendary Hans Hotter in the speakers role. Even at the age of 85 he had a towering presence and I was lucky enough to meet him after the concert.

I remember that broadcast being televised: the first time I ever heard the work. Stunning to see Hotter on that stage.

**Pulcinella** · 05-03-17, 11:54

Originally posted by ferneyhoughgeliebte View Post

The DG Privilege gatefold double LP, with the cubist painting on the cover?

This, which featured on one of its CD releases (still not a bad price for some new copies)?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/シェーンベルク-グレ-の-歌-プフイッツナー-パレストリーナ-つ/B00RWA9D7M/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1488714564&sr=1-1&keywords=Kubelik+gurrelieder

**Beef Oven!** · 05-03-17, 12:12

Originally posted by Pulcinella View Post

This, which featured on one of its CD releases (still not a bad price for some new copies)?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/シェー...ik+gurrelieder

Very tempting. Always regretted not buying the Kubelik. But with Sinopoli, Boulez and Rattle CDs, I can’t justify another.

**Bryn** · 05-03-17, 12:25

Originally posted by Beef Oven! View Post

Very tempting. Always regretted not buying the Kubelik. But with Sinopoli, Boulez and Rattle CDs, I can’t justify another.

With Boulez, Craft, Ferencsik, Gielen, Kegel, Levine, and Rattle on commercial CDs, plus others saved from radio broadcasts, I have just placed an order for that very Kubelik recording.

**Beef Oven!** · 05-03-17, 13:14

Originally posted by Bryn View Post

With Boulez, Craft, Ferencsik, Gielen, Kegel, Levine, and Rattle on commercial CDs, plus others saved from radio broadcasts, I have just placed an order for that very Kubelik recording.

So you and ferney both plan on living to 114!!?

Bryn, has it ever occurred to you that even if you live to 150, you’ll not be able to listen to all those CDs!!?

BaL 11.03.17 - Schoenberg: Gurrelieder

BaL 11.03.17 - Schoenberg: Gurrelieder

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