Search - Canteloube, Moffo :: Songs of Auvergne

Anna Moffo at her incomparable best

D. MCGOVERN | New Zealand | 10/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What an extraordinary album. There have been many recordings of Canteloube's Songs of the Auvergne, but none, in my opinion, come close to capturing Anna Moffo's creamily seductive interpretations. Moffo in her prime had everything one could wish for in a lyric soprano: warmth, power, thrilling high notes and a sense of phrasing that was bewitching.



The Rachmaninov Vocalise and Bachianas Brasilieras No 5 are equally compelling, and Moffo is ably supported by Stokowski in top form. My only regret is that a "blip" has appeared near the end of the Vocalise (which was not there on the original LP), thus giving the misleading impression that the ending was a retake.



This is my desert island soprano album. Now if BMG could just be persuaded to release her sublime One Night of Love album from the early 1960s, then I'll be packing that one as well..."

Very impressive

Michael Newberry | 03/16/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Because of Anna Moffo's unfortunate vocal crisis in the late 1960's, people tend to forget that she possessed one of the most achingly beautiful voices in the history of recording. This was made at the peak of her career, when her voice was mature but showed no signs of deteriorating. Rachmaninov's "Vocalise" has never been performed better and it's doubtful that it ever will be."

Pure magic

Michel | Montreal, Quebec | 06/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The sound of Anna Moffo's voice in this recording is utterly beguiling, a warmth and sensuality that cannot be described. The last number, Vocalise by Rachmaninoff is achigly beautiful. Pure magic."