My belief is that recordings are made in time and their value must be read in view of time. The “imperfections” of sound are integral to reading its meaning. Modern digital recordings attempt to annul this time context and are, to me, often very neutral. Abbado and von Otter exemplify this, and their recordings very seldom engage me.
Thanks for your wonderful opera surveys — most appreciated, alongside of the Alan Blyth volumes.
Your posting made me return to that 1965 Wyn Morris recording and I was pleasantly surprised at how good Geraint Evans sounds there, as his voice grew a bit rocky as the years went by - and we can take Janet Baker's excellence for granted. I am, however, not so content with the recording quality, as it is quite rough with audible distortion on loud notes - still perfectly listenable, though.
Other good options are Claudio Abbado's "Wunderhorn" with Anne Sofie von Otter and Thomas Quasthoff, Felix Prohaska with Maureen Forrester and Heinz Rehfuss, and even the old mono version on Preiser, again with Prohaska and Lorna Sydney
and Alfred Poell.
A very fine review by D McDade. A few notes: this is a more complete Wunderhorn (2 discs, not "Aus Des Knaben Wunderhorn") than typically recorded which reflects its origin as a part of a film score. Commensurately, the approach tends to the languid and lush. Regrettably, the capture of Henschel voice is considerably richer in sound than DH in recital.
The Wyn Morris has the (unmentioned) advantage of variety (two legendary soloists), and a determined energy (even roughness in the male songs) that is an antidote to the incipient schmaltz of the original verse. A memorable capture of Sir Geraint's magnificent voice and the incomparable Dame Janet. I'm very pleased with the recording, too. Art is timeless, but the recordings themselves exist in a space of their own time.
The plushy modern recording captures less of the fantastical grittiness of the Mahler/von Arnim/Brentano and I concur completely with your admiration of the Morris/Baker/Evans classic. Thanks for your review.
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