Search - Arnold Schoenberg, Oliver Knussen, Da Capo Chamber Players :: Schoenberg: Pierrot Lunaire

But only because I've been spoiled by Cleo Lane

David Cisek | Forest Hills, New York United States | 07/13/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ms Shelton and the De Capo Players really are superb, but it's a shame the Cleo Lane RCA (Red Seal LRL1 5058) recording is out of print. Ms Shelton's voice is a pure and shimmering liquid and the De Capo enunciate sounds in Pierrot I have never heard before in recording or in live performances--it's just a beautiful recording, and it's worth having for these reasons alone; but I can't get that vast and visual smokey range of Cleo Lane's voice out of my head. Jonathan Dunsby in his book on Pierrot writes: "-a Pierrot sung by a woman who always tries to hit the exact pitch at least at the beginning of each note is hardly the same work in experience . . . as a Pierrot in which the Sprechstimme swoops and glides with no hard reference to the notated points of absolute pitch (which is, technically, a lot easier to do if the singer does not have 'perfect ptitch')." I don't know if Ms Lane has/had(?) perfect pitch but her performance drunkenly swoops and glides. The two at times are completely different Pierrot's. And even though Ms Shelton sings in English as well, at times it still sounds German. (That's part of another issue, i.e. works in translation. I think more is gained by doing it.) By all means get this version, but by all means, find some way to hear the Cleo Lane; she creates a palpable and visceral incarnation."

Expressive Schoenberg

David Cisek | 01/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording may be the finest ever made of this work. Schoenberg's music may not be everyone's favorite, but this rendering of Pierrot Lunaire is extremely well performed, expressive and highly musical.Any lesser recording of Schoenberg hides behind the intellectual nature of the composer's methods. These performers do not allow themselves to be bound by the notes on the page -- they turn this difficult music into an opportunity to articulate their clear vision of everything Schoenberg was trying to say.To enjoy this recording, listen to it closely, follow the words in the libretto, and let your imagination float to join that of the performers."