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Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
This is one of those recordings easily passed over because of the plethora of similar ones in the catalogue with the featured soloist being one of greater renown. But pause for a moment and re-think that approach because this simple CD introduces a wondrous new talent (at least to this listener) who is so at home with Strauss lieder that she promises great things for the future. The all Strauss program begins with the familiar tone poem 'Don Juan' with the Hallé Orchestra of Manchester conducted by Mark Elder. This is a solid if not memorable reading, well played and conducted, but just doesn't catch fire. Then German soprano Anna Schwanewilms steps on stage and sings seven Strauss lieder with a vocal quality of pure silver, able to ride those arching lines with complete ease and able to make every word clean and meaningful. The voice reminds a bit of both Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and Gundula Janowitz and higher praise just doesn't flow! She is able to traverse the subtleties of 'Morgen' and 'Wiegenlied' like few others, never becoming coy or gushy, just letting the poetry and music be her masters. She is a discovery! The recital concludes with a too rarely heard 'Macbeth' tone poem, a work for which Elder and the Hallé Orchestra seem to have a particular affinity. But in the end it is the collection of lieder that makes this CD a must for the lover of Strauss, or the lover of fine singing! Highly recommended. Grady Harp, November 05
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Editorial Reviews
All Music Guide - James Leonard
After their opulent and virtuosic Elgar, opulent and virtuosic Strauss should come as no surprise from Mark Elder and the Hallé. But even measured against their Elgar, Elder, and the Hallé's Strauss is sumptuous and opulent. From the glittering brilliance of the opening "Don Juan" through the sensuality of the central seven orchestral lieder to the energetic exercises of the closing "Macbeth," their performances are as lushly upholstered and as well-played as the best by continental orchestras. Every department of the orchestra excels from the slashing strings and characterful woodwinds in "Don Juan" to the brash brass and bludgeoning timpani of "Macbeth," and under the ...