Search - Marcella Sembrich :: Victor Recordings 1904-1908

Excellent!

BDSinC | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | 12/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Firstly, this is again one of those albums where we are listening to music recorded long before the age of even electrical recording. We are treated to some rather interesting interpretations. Some pieces are recorded twice, and it seems some times with piano and then again with orchestra. It makes for an interesting comparision.



Marcella Sembrich was a great singer in the days of Patti, and often seen as some as her superior. The interesting thing about Sembrich was her skills in music were not limited to voice, and unlike many singers of then (and even some of today) she did read music and understood its notations. In point of fact, she was a gifted pianist and a violinist. It was not rare in any of her concerts to be treated to song, piano sonatas (and very difficult music to say the least), and a violin concerto by some great composer, or Rode's variations for violin. When she first did such a concert in America, the critics were very tongue in cheek BEFORE the concert, certain they would be indulging some Prima Donna whim. To their surprise and delight, not only did she sing magnificently, she played better than some well renouned pianists and violinist. Her concerts were a musical feast.



However, this recording seems only to provide us with her voice (unless it is she who is accompanying herself on the piano, but no notations of that are indicated). There is the usual overly quick very unreflective tempi used that were common at that time to capture a piece in the allotted time. There are also cuts to pieces. From her attack, I would assume she was a bit past her prime when she made these recordings, as high notes are often begun like "excited screams" rather than a smooth effortless attack; but even then, they are not unmusical. Also, we are subjected to the tastes of that day, and there are things allowed that simply today would not be tolerated. Yet, that was tolerated back then, and even had the approval of the composers in most cases.



Interestingly, we will hear her sing songs that simply we would not associate with her voice type today. She sings Violetta, which we do associate with her voice, but she also sings Norma, and Elvira from Ernani, which we associate with more dramatic voices. Since she actually did sing those roles on stage, it must be assumed that her voice was large enough to make the affect required.



What I must say about this recording is the quality is supreme. Of course, we can expect much of the hiss associated with old recordings, but the remastering is so masterful that it is not a bother as it can be in some recordings, nor are we forced to "listen through the din" to hear the singer. She comes out loud and clear.



Truly this is an excellent set for any collector to add to their collection (and perhaps it should be listened to by some serious voice students just to understand many different ways to make coloratura singing sound MEANINGFUL), but it is not for everyone. IF you are not into old recordings, I really doubt it will be of interest to you. Truly it is for those who are dedicated to hearing the history of recorded singing and enjoying it."