Wagner: Wesendonck Lieder

[Stanley Stewart]

Selecting Proms for next week. (28 Aug-3 Sept - the penultimate week in a surprisingly good season), my first diary note was Prom 57, 28 Aug, which includes an old favourite, Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder in the first half - Elisabeth Kulman, BBCSO/Bychov; and eager to sample Wagner's unalloyed love songs for Mathilde Wesendonck, I got several CD recordings off the shelves for late night listening and happy memories of hearing Birgit Nillson, late 70s, during my years as a regular Prommer; her power and stage presence with an intriguing sexiness- or a natural Wagnerian subtext?

My first choice for listening was the Janet Baker, EMI recording, LPO/Boult, followed by perhaps my top choice, Elisabeth Meyer-Topsoe (Kontra unkt label, 1993), is quite beguiling and it also includes an exceptional Vier Letze Lieder+ Morgen, Zueignung, Copenhagen PO/ Hans Norbert Bihlmaier. I've always been attracted by the voice of Tiana Lemnitz and the historic 1944 recording, Cantata label, Staatskapelle, Berlin, Robt Heger, uses the Felix Mottl orchestral arr.


'Tristan' resonates throughout. A scintillating performance with charm and intimacy. Wish I'd seen her on the concert platform. I couldn't resist the Astrid Varnay, DG rec, (1955),Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Leopold Ludwig, which also includes extracts from T & I. Memories, too of Anne Evans captivating appearance at the 1994 Proms, a BBC Music Mag disc, Vol iii,No 7; must check as I'm confident that this Wagner Night was also televised and I have an off-air video. I'm about to hear Agnes Baltsa's performance, 1995 rec, LSO/Jeffrey Tate which also includes a fine Berlioz, Les nuits d'ete.

[gradus]

I too love these songs and try to listen whenever there's a performance so thanks for the heads-up for next week. I only have the Minton/Boulez recording but I've heard it many times live by other singers. I particularly like Minton's way with the last song in the set, it's only a matter of phrasing but so often I find my musical performance preferences come down to particular phrases.

[Richard Tarleton]

Memories, too of Anne Evans captivating appearance at the 1994 Proms, a BBC Music Mag disc, Vol iii,No 7; must check as I'm confident that this Wagner Night was also televised and I have an off-air video.

I too have that disc Stanley and yes I think it was televised (BBC NOW/Otaka). A magical performance.
Appropriately for me it was just over a year after I saw Anne Evans as Isolde, in Cardiff (WNO/Mackerras).

[Stanley Stewart]

Thanks, Richard. Your mention of Anne Evans as Isolde at Cardiff encouraged me to refresh my memory so I took Richard Fawkes's WNO tome, 1986, off the shelves intending to get the gen but, of course, several hours later and for much of today I was swept along by the narrative...and even more! Quite stirring to realise the commitment of Messrs Goodall and Mackerras at ENO and WNO. A memory prompt also made me seek my off-air video, now on DVD. of The Quest for Reginald Goodall (1985) to take a new look at the Cardiff rehearsals of Die Walkure with Anne Evans as Brunnhilde and Warren Elsworth, Siegmund. She adored working with Reggie and her respect was clearly reciprocated. Humphrey Burton also knew how to 'draw' the self-effacing Goodall and even the protracted pauses added their own weight. In seeking Reggie, Burton focussed on the years between Peter Grimes, 1945 until Reggie was 'rediscovered' in the 1968 Mastersingers at Sadler's Wells. A delightful sequence emerged when several colleagues planned a surprise tea party to thank Reggie for his dedication and guidance in the ROH 'Valhalla' upstairs, led by Geraint Evans. Reggie sat at the table, still wearing his coat and scarf, but gradually relaxed with the reminiscences of Joan Cross and Constance Shacklock. This fine documentary, 62 mins, deserves a repeat transmission.

[Stanfordian]

Selecting Proms for next week. (28 Aug-3 Sept - the penultimate week in a surprisingly good season), my first diary note was Prom 57, 28 Aug, which includes an old favourite, Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder in the first half - Elisabeth Kulman, BBCSO/Bychov; and eager to sample Wagner's unalloyed love songs for Mathilde Wesendonck, I got several CD recordings off the shelves for late night listening and happy memories of hearing Birgit Nillson, late 70s, during my years as a regular Prommer; her power and stage presence with an intriguing sexiness- or a natural Wagnerian subtext?

My first choice for listening was the Janet Baker, EMI recording, LPO/Boult, followed by perhaps my top choice, Elisabeth Meyer-Topsoe (Kontra unkt label, 1993), is quite beguiling and it also includes an exceptional Vier Letze Lieder+ Morgen, Zueignung, Copenhagen PO/ Hans Norbert Bihlmaier. I've always been attracted by the voice of Tiana Lemnitz and the historic 1944 recording, Cantata label, Staatskapelle, Berlin, Robt Heger, uses the Felix Mottl orchestral arr.


'Tristan' resonates throughout. A scintillating performance with charm and intimacy. Wish I'd seen her on the concert platform. I couldn't resist the Astrid Varnay, DG rec, (1955),Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Leopold Ludwig, which also includes extracts from T & I. Memories, too of Anne Evans captivating appearance at the 1994 Proms, a BBC Music Mag disc, Vol iii,No 7; must check as I'm confident that this Wagner Night was also televised and I have an off-air video. I'm about to hear Agnes Baltsa's performance, 1995 rec, LSO/Jeffrey Tate which also includes a fine Berlioz, Les nuits d'ete.

Hello Stanley,

I too love the Wesendonck Lieder and have for some time been extolling the virtues of the account from Astrid Varnay, DG rec, (1955), Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Leopold Ludwig. I obtained the wonderful original CD resonably easily and have ended up with 2 copies.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wagner-Tristan-Isolde-Astrid-Varnay/dp/B01KAVWXFS/ref=sr_1_45?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1472160509&sr=1-45&keywords=astrid+varnay

As an alternative there is also this excellent CD reissue:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ASTRID-Soprano-Ferdinand-Leitner-Leopold/dp/B00CV5ZGII/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1472160589&sr=1-3&keywords=astrid+varnay

[gurnemanz]

Coincidentally, I have just got a piano version by Maureen Forrester, a very good first time re-issue of a radio broadcast which I recently mentioned here.
I echo the Elisabeth Meyer-Topsoe version which I acquired when it was recommended on this board for her Four Last Songs. Another classic orchestral version alongside Baker/Boult is of course Christa Ludwig/Klemperer.
+ the fine piano version from Kirsten Flagstad and Gerald Moore (on her EMI Icon box)

[Richard Tarleton]

Your mention of Anne Evans as Isolde at Cardiff

It was quite an event - Evans's first Isolde, and that fine singer Jeffrey Lawton's first Tristan. I still have a clutch of reviews, by Rupert Christiansen, Robert Henderson and an unnamed reviewer in the Western Mail. There was also a lovely profile of Anne Evans in the Sunday Times that weekend by Hugh Canning entitled "Prime of a Welsh Wagnerian". Of the premiere, which I attended, Christiansen said "The most moving episode of the evening - a great performance...a rare and unforgettable event...came at the curtain calls, when Evans and Lawton spontaneously flung themselves into eachother's arms. This was not a bit of luvvy Oscar-winner smarm, but the true love of comrades, inspired, I guess, by a mixture of delight, relief and gratitude....." I went on to hear all her Brunnhildes in the Haitink/Jones Ring at ROH.....

[Stanley Stewart]

[QUOTE=Stanfordian;576169]Hello Stanley,

I too love the Wesendonck Lieder and have for some time been extolling the virtues of the account from Astrid Varnay, DG rec, (1955), Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Leopold Ludwig. I obtained the wonderful original CD resonably easily and have ended up with 2 copies.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wagner-Tristan-Isolde-Astrid-Varnay/dp/B01KAVWXFS/ref=sr_1_45?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1472160509&sr=1-45&keywords=astrid+varnay

Thank you, Stanfordian, you came most timely upon your hour! I checked your two Amazon heads-up and quickly decided to opt for the Eloquence recording with its enticing additional Wagnerian selection. A reasonable price, £10 approx, particularly as the original DG issue which I have is now £42. However, during the ordering process, I was advised to check changes in price, although I'd already confirmed my order and a speedy acknowledgement quoted the £10 price. Returning to the contact source, I notice that the price has now been hiked to £15 for future purchases. Your tip was indeed fortuitous and the Eloquence recording is now wending in my direction. Renewed thanks.