Strauss: Four Last Songs; Final Scenes

Shockingly bad and overrated:
Briefly stated, if you like singing in Strauss' final work that is operatic in the worst sense, and prefer a voice with a vibrato beat so heavy it almost sounds like trills, this is the recording for you. But if you think this music requires something more personal, there are a hand full of fine recordings, though none perhaps that are perfect. My favorites include the recording by Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (1953 with Ackermann, much preferred to her later, overly mannered and overrated performance with Szell), Jessye Norman (although she too is too operatic and too loud in the first movement, and must overcome glossy, Hollywood sounding orchestral accompaniment throughout), and Cheryl Studer (who sings beautifully but is unsteady in the final song, and doesn't quite match the "inner" quality of Schwarzkopf and Norman). I was stunned and disappointed that the Gramophone critics gave this a favorable rating. It was such a torture to listen to that I had to turn it off before the 3rd song finished.

STRAUSS FIVE LAST SONGS:
THE ARTIST IS NOT JEREMY WHITE. CHANGE YOUR LISTING. THAT ARTIST IS NINA STEMME

Disappointing:
Let's get this out of the way quickly. Those seeking masterly interpretations of these often recorded songs (R Strauss' Four Last Songs) need to visit the Sinopoli/Dresden with the diamantine Cheryl Studer. It does not get any better than that. Besides, you get unparalleled accounts of Wagner's Wesendonk-Lieder and a Liebestod (from Wagner's Tristan und Isolde) for the ages.

A Fine addition to the Strauss catalog.:
For her debut solo recital disc on the EMI label, dramatic soprano wunderkind chose to record Richard Strauss' "Four Last Songs" along with the final scenes from "Salome" and "Cappricio." Hearing Ms. Stemme perform these is a revelation, and she demonstrates why no one else can do quite what she does. Her performance here is stellar, dramatic, and, perhaps, unmatched by any of her peers. Ms. Stemme is able to move from that bombastic and dramatic final scene from "Salome" to the pensive and stately final scene from "Cappricio" with ease. Moving from a vengeful teenage girl to a wiser, elegant Countess and then into the "Four Last Songs," she uncovers the dramatic tension of each piece with care, allowing each piece to build, as her rich, powerful soprano voice caresses each note. The booklet accompanying the CD includes an introductory essay on Richard Strauss and his music by Michael Tanner, song texts, and translations in German and French. Unfortunately, no artist biographies or notes from Ms. Stemme are included. Considering that these pieces have been recorded so often, this release is a welcome breath of fresh air. Nina Stemme's recording is a more than fine addition to the Strauss catalog that no lover of the soprano voices should be without. (RTS) This review appeared at OperaOnline.us

Not great:
Since I love Strauss I decided to purchase this CD and although I will refrain from making a final judgement until I hear her live my initial reaction was one of disappointment. In the history of opera there have been so many voices that records couldn't do justice to and that were much better heard live. Lets hope this is one of those instances. After listening to the CD she reminds me of a voice similar to Inga Bork's; a big clunky voice that manages to hit all the notes but that doesn't move me at all. Inga Bork had a big career so maybe hers too was a voice that had to be heard live. I don't know I guess I will wait and see. Now, if you really want to hear someone amazing singing the same repertoire try buying a record or attending a performance of Anne Schwanewilms, now that is a voice that will BLOW YOUR SOCKS OFF!!!