Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Gustav Mahler, Phillip Moll :: The Jessye Norman Collection: Schubert & Mahler Lieder

Magnifiencet lieder singing, early and late

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first disc in this two-fer consists of Hessye Norman's 1984 recital of Schubert songs. Using her powerful voice with delicacy is a bit of a struggle, so Norman takes advantge of being able to turn these songs into dramatic scenes and operatic arias. You only have to listen to her searing 'Der Zweg' to understand how unqiue she is, and everything else rises to a high level of mature musicianship. No wonder Norman was te hottest ticket as a recitalist throughout the 802.



The second disc is from an earlier recital of Schubert and Mahler with Irwin Gage as accompanist. He's skillful but not inspired, which is a shame, because Norman's voice is at its freshest and most appealing. She wasn't yet a consummate lieder singer, so the interpretations tend to be a bit neutral (you can hear that in an earlier reading of Der Zwerg, which lacks dramatic impact compared to the later one). But what vocal plushness and control! I'd rate this one of the best installments in Philips current retrospective of their star soprano."