Search - Richard Strauss, Wolfgang Sawallisch, The Philadelphia Orchestra :: Barbara Hendricks - Strauss: Four Last Songs & 15 Lieder / Sawallisch

Excellent Rendition

Paul Pickering | Dallas, TX USA | 12/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Philadelphia Orchestra provides a beautiful, sensitive, and technically fluent accompaniment to Ms. Hendricks rendition of Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs. He vocal technique is excellent and her diction precise--she tackles the challenging breathing required for these songs' performance with ease. Both Maestro Sawallish and Ms. Hendricks, while showing superb musicianship, effectively portray the wistful longing Strauss was feeling (and intended) for these works. The sound is radient and lush, with the balance between singer and orchestra appropriate so that both components of this masterpiece are displayed artistically and in balance.The other selections on this disc are equally well done. They are a collection of songs Strauss wrote in the earlier years of his career, and many of them are love songs dedicated to his wife Pauline. The text to all the songs on this disc is included in the notes with excellent translations, and an appropriate amount of background material is given to each opus included on the CD.Although some Strauss is challenging for the musical neophyte, this entire project (approximately 60 minutes) is touching, melodic, and engaging to listeners of all levels."

A luscious voice, nicely applied

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/06/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although not yet listed at Amazon, EMI has issued a two-fer containing two separate Strauss recitals from the silvery-voiced Hendricks: a 1991 album of lieder with piano accompanimet and this 1996 album of orchestrated songs, including the Four Last Songs, under Wolfgang Sawallisch, filled out with Sawallisch as pianist in a dozen other songs that aren't orchestrated. She's in the same voice, with its joyful, girlish flutter, despite the span of five years.



Being a maturecoloratura isn't an easy fate, since imprfections show up early and often rob the voice of its youthful tone. Hendricks still sounds youthful, and she's an intelligent, engaging Lieder singer. In fact, I think Strauss is her best composer, because her biggest lack is in the ability to alter her tone and offer interesting emotional changes. But Strauss demands a gorgeous lyrical tone above all else, and that she has. Sawallisch is straightforward and uninteresting on the podium compared to, say, George Szell for Elisabeth Schwarzkopf. Even so, the orchestral playing from the Philadelphians is outstanding. The engineers applied a bit too much hall resonance in the sound mix, and yet overall this is a charming recording, especially if you can find the two-fer.



P.S. - I have returned to this dark horse in the Four Last Songs race and now consider it one of the most enjoyable, ahead of Jessye Norman, Solie Isokoski, Lucia Popp, and perhaps even Renee Fleming."