Lotte Lehmann: The Columbia recordings
Late in her career‚ Lehmann proves she’s still a supreme mistress of her art
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Franz Schubert, Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner, Hugo (Filipp Jakob) Wolf, Johannes Brahms, Hermann Leopoldi, Rudolf Sieczynski, Robert Stolz, Nico Dostal, Ralph Benatzky, Ernest Arnold
Genre:
Vocal
Label: Romophone
Magazine Review Date: 5/2002
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 148
Mastering:
Mono
ADD
Catalogue Number: 810322
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 1, Das Wandern |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 2, Wohin? |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 3, Halt! |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 4, Dankgesang an den Bach |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 5, Am Feierabend |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 6, Der Neugierige |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 8, Morgengruss |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 9, Des Müllers Blumen |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 10, Tränenregen |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 11, Mein |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 12, Pause |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 13, Mit dem grünen Lautenbande |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 14, Der Jäger |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 15, Eifersucht und Stolz |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 16, Die liebe Farbe |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 17, Die böse Farbe |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 18, Trockne Blumen |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 19, Der Müller und der Bach |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Schöne Müllerin, Movement: No. 20, Des Baches Wiegenlied |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 1, Liebesbotschaft |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 13, Der Doppelgänger |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (Die) Junge Nonne |
Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (8) Lieder aus Letzte Blätter, Movement: No. 1, Zueignung (orch 1940) |
Richard Strauss, Composer
Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano Richard Strauss, Composer |
| (8) Lieder aus Letzte Blätter, Movement: No. 8, Allerseelen |
Richard Strauss, Composer
Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano Richard Strauss, Composer |
| (4) Lieder, Movement: No. 4, Morgen (wds. J H Mackay: orch 1897) |
Richard Strauss, Composer
Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano Richard Strauss, Composer |
| (6) Lieder, Movement: No. 2, Ständchen |
Richard Strauss, Composer
Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano Richard Strauss, Composer |
| (4) Lieder, Movement: No. 2, Die Mainacht (wds. Hölty) |
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (4) Lieder, Movement: No. 4, An die Nachtigall (wds. Hölty) |
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (5) Lieder, Movement: No. 4, Auf dem Kirchhofe (wds. Liliencron) |
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (9) Lieder, Movement: No. 9, Wie bist du, meine Königin (wds. Daumer) |
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (4) Lieder, Movement: Wir wandelten (wds. Daumer) |
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (49) Deutsche Volkslieder, Movement: Sagt mir, o schönste Schäf'rin mein |
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (49) Deutsche Volkslieder, Movement: Da unten im Tale |
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (5) Lieder, Movement: No. 3, Sonntag (wds. Uhland) |
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (5) Lieder, Movement: No. 4, O liebliche Wangen (wds. Flemming) |
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (5) Lieder, Movement: No. 4, Wiegenlied (wds. Scherer) |
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (5) Lieder, Movement: No. 1, Ständchen (wds. Kugler) |
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| Wesendonck Lieder, Movement: Der Engel |
Richard Wagner, Composer
Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano Richard Wagner, Composer |
| Wesendonck Lieder, Movement: Im Treibhaus |
Richard Wagner, Composer
Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano Richard Wagner, Composer |
| Wesendonck Lieder, Movement: Schmerzen |
Richard Wagner, Composer
Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano Richard Wagner, Composer |
| Wesendonck Lieder, Movement: Traüme |
Richard Wagner, Composer
Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano Richard Wagner, Composer |
| Vorborgenheit |
Hugo (Filipp Jakob) Wolf, Composer
Hugo (Filipp Jakob) Wolf, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (6) Gedichte von Scheffel, Mörike, Goethe und Ke, Movement: Zur Ruh, zur Ruh! (wds. J Kerner: 1883) |
Hugo (Filipp Jakob) Wolf, Composer
Hugo (Filipp Jakob) Wolf, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| Mörike Lieder, Movement: Gesang Weylas |
Hugo (Filipp Jakob) Wolf, Composer
Hugo (Filipp Jakob) Wolf, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| Spanisches Liederbuch, 'Spanish Songbook', Movement: Wer tat deinem Füsslein weh (trans Geibel) |
Hugo (Filipp Jakob) Wolf, Composer
Hugo (Filipp Jakob) Wolf, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| Wien, du Stadt meiner Träume |
Rudolf Sieczynski, Composer
Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano Rudolf Sieczynski, Composer |
| Da draussen in der Wachau |
Ernest Arnold, Composer
Ernest Arnold, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| Im Prater blüh'n wieder die Bäume |
Robert Stolz, Composer
Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano Robert Stolz, Composer |
| Wien, sterbene Märchenstadt |
Hermann Leopoldi, Composer
Hermann Leopoldi, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| Ich muss wieder einmal in Grinzing sein |
Ralph Benatzky, Composer
Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano Ralph Benatzky, Composer |
| Heut' macht die Welt sonntag für mich |
Nico Dostal, Composer
Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Nico Dostal, Composer Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
| (49) Deutsche Volkslieder, Movement: Erlaube mir, fein's Mädchen |
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Johannes Brahms, Composer Lotte Lehmann, Soprano Paul Ulanowsky, Piano |
Author:
Lotte Lehmann’s career on records goes back to preelectrical days‚ and many of her best belong to the early electrical period of the late 1920s. When she started recording in America she was not far off 50‚ and by 1941 and ’42 (the years of the items collected in this new volume) she had become a senior figure in the musical life of her adopted country: an artist and a woman held in affection for her warmth‚ charm and vivacity‚ but also the authoritative embodiment of a high European culture which carried if anything a more conscious respect in the seriousminded conditions of wartime. This is mature‚ assured singing‚ by one who can give herself wholeheartedly‚ with tenderness‚ impetuosity‚ earnestness‚ gaiety: one who creates a mood apparently on the spur of the moment‚ and yet knows exactly what she is doing.
The point is underlined in Alan Blyth’s notes‚ which take for their theme the close correspondence between the records and Lehmann’s comments on the songs in her book More than singing (Boosey & Hawkes: 1945). In the Schöne Müllerin cycle‚ for instance‚ ‘Mein!’ is to be sung as though ‘sitting in a soaring swing’ and ‘Pause’ is not to be dragged or sentimentalised. Certainly there is no danger of that in Lehmann’s recordings: sometimes – as in Strauss’s Morgen! or‚ for that matter‚ Schubert’s ‘Pause’ – a slower tempo might be welcome‚ as would a more private‚ less outgoing manner in such songs as ‘Des Baches Wiegenlied’ or Brahms’s Die Mainacht. Yet intimacy can be one of the most striking features – in ‘Danksagung an dem Bach’‚ for instance‚ it comes with a smile‚ and in Wolf’s Zur Ruh with seriousness. Often‚ best of all are relatively simple things‚ such as the collection’s three delightful folk songs arranged by Brahms. And the whole series comes to its enchanting encoretime with the six popular songs about Grinzing‚ the Prater and the ‘city of dreams’ itself.
It’s a pity that more of the Viennese charm could not have permeated the recorded sound‚ which is dry‚ bright‚ stateoftheart‚ 1940 American. In the Schubert especially‚ the balance‚ by our notions‚ is impossibly bad‚ with the voice going straight into the microphone while the piano is way back in the picture. The transfers do nothing to mitigate the lack of atmosphere (the only comparisons to hand on CD were with the Brahms songs on a now unavailable Claremont issue‚ not quite so sharply etched but more congenially human). Lehmann was not entirely lucky in the recordings of her American period: nor was she‚ in my view‚ well advised in undertaking the Müllerin cycle at all. Yet much here‚ as in Romophone’s previous volume (7/00)‚ is a joy to have: we must be grateful.
Lotte Lehmann: The Columbia recordings
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