Classical Legends in Their Own Words
2011; Routledge; Volume: 67; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
2769-4046
Autores Tópico(s)Diverse Musicological Studies
ResumoClassical Legends in Their Own Words. Mirella Freni, Angela Gheorghiu, Grace Bumbry, sopranos; Jon Vickers, Nicolai Gedda, Roberto Alagna, Giuseppe Stefano, tenors; Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone; Ruggero Raimondi, Sir John Tomlinson, basses; Evgeny Kissin, piano; Mstislav Rostropovich, cello; Antonio Pappano, conductor, Jon Tolansky, narrator. (EMI Angel 50999 6 08972 2; 318:15) Puccini: Un bel di (Madama Butterfly), Si, mi chiamano Mimi, Sono andata (La boheme), Gia me struggea l'amordella diva! (Tosca), La tregenda (Le villi). Bizet: Habanera, Ou va-tu? Carmen, je suis la de souffrir! (Carmen). Verdi: Ave Maria, Si pel (Otello), Come del ciel precipita (Macbeth), O patria mia (Aida), La donna e mobile (Rigoletto), Non sai tu che se l'anima mia (Un ballo in maschera), Libiamo ne lieti calici (La traviata), Ella giammai m'amo (Don Carlo), Ah si, ben mio . . . Di quella pira (Il trovatore), Dies irae (Requiem). Massenet: Lorsque l'enfant, Pourquoi me reveiller (Werther), N'est ce plus ma main, lo son sol (Manon). Bartok: Hajnalban az elsot lettem (Bluebeard's Castle). Wagner: Hier sitz' ich zur Wacht, Hoiho! (Gotterdammerung). Saint-Saens: Israel! romps ta chaine! (Samson et Dalila). Mussorgsky: O, kak tomitel' (Boris Godunov). Adam: Mes amis, ecoutez l'histoire (Le postillon de Lonjumeau). Schubert: Wohin? (Die schone Mullerin), Gute Nacht (Winterreise). Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C, opus 26: Allegro. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat, opus 73: Allegro. J. S. Bach: Suite No. 1 in G, BWV 1007: Prelude. Britten: Cello Suite No. 1, op. 72: Moto perpetuo e Canto quarto. Shostakovich: Interlude (Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk), Cello Concerto No. 1 in G, op. 126. It is not exactly breaking news that the major classical music recording industry is a mere shadow of its former self, releasing just a handful of new recordings that pale in comparison to the plentiful output of thirty years ago and earlier. In the wake of ever tightening fiscal constraints, the major labels find themselves compelled to churn out a plethora of compilation disks just to get some semblance of new product on store shelves (even if those store shelves are most likely to be virtual store shelves found only online) and give them something to sell. Not surprisingly, the public seems to have had more than its fill of such increasingly redundant greatest hits collections, which in turn appears to be inspiring the record companies to be more imaginative and creative. Toward that end, EMI Angel is to be commended for demonstrating impressive innovation with this modestly priced four-disk set titled Classical Legends in Their Own Words, which combines musical performances with spoken remarks by thirteen of the company's most popular and admired artists. Ten of the artists are singers, so the inclusion of one pianist, one cellist, and one conductor in the proceedings seems awkward and odd, no matter how praiseworthy their contributions. Moreover, one might take issue with the term legend being used to describe some singers included here. There is little question that artists like Mirella Freni, Grace Bumbry, Jon Vickers, Nicholai Gedda, and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau are worthy of such classification. Tenor Giuseppe Stefano might generate some debate, since his artistic prime was fairly brief and many of his later professional choices were questionable at best, but his participation in some of the most legendary recordings ever made (such as Tosca with Maria Callas) probably justifies his inclusion. Ruggero Raimondi and Sir John Tomlinson are more likely to raise eyebrows, although they have both enjoyed long and admirable careers and in many ways represent their profession at its best. But is it entirely appropriate to call them legends? The designation seems even more ill-fitting for Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna, who are unquestionably successful performers with plenty of fans, but plenty of detractors as well, one might add. …
Referência(s)