Search - Alban Berg, Pierre Boulez, London Symphony Orchestra :: Jessye Norman Sings Alban Berg

Tender and lovely

09/19/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Alban Berg and "tender and lovely"? Not the usual association one makes...at least I didn't. Berg writes aching and delicious melodies to his bittersweet text selections and Ms. Norman delivers them memorably. A winner of a CD, and I am sure one that has not gotten its due."

Who's affraid of Alban Berg?

frans | Belgium | 03/20/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The fact that its Jessye Norman performing these songs is not the only reason why I think this is a great record. I think this record gives you a great view on the evolution of Alban Berg as a composer. The three different sets of songs belong to a different period in his life: the early songs are still truely romantic, the "Seven early songs" show a composer searching for new ways of expression and the Altenberg-lieder show him using a totally new and different soundscape. I think Jessye Norman is the perfect singer for these songs, the early 20th century repertoire suits her perfectly (she has made beautiful recordings of works of Arnold Shönberg as well). It's just a pity that these last years she seems to focus on singing Christmas carols and other easy listening music."

Wonderful SHORT disc

M. A COMBRINK | Cape Town, South Africa | 07/06/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As always, I wonder why Recording Companies insult buyers by throwing us 44 minute discs - like crumbs to a dog - especially when presenting a wonderful artist in repertoire she does exceptionally well, better in fact than in just about any rival recording. Why not give as the cantata "Der Wein" as well, and at least shove this issue into the low 50's or a chunk of Schoenberg or Zemlinsky, or Mahler, whose music echoes through the best of Berg. As for the performance, I have not heard any of these songs sung with more opulence, beauty of line and tone and a sense of "generosity". Avoid Popp's "7Early songs" like the plague, and even Bonney does not thrill me half as much. Von Otter is wonderful and a great artist, but Norman just has the edge for luxuriant sound and effortless colouration, quite giving the lie to the idea of this music being overly cerebral. Pity the disclength is so ungenerous."