Her phenomenal breath control let her do things with music that nobody else could do. But if breath control isn't paired with an understanding of the music, then it's just a parlor trick. And Miss Norman didn't do parlor tricks. ♥
No one, but NO ONE can sing these songs the way she did. It is absolutely transcendent, and the violinist's solo just sent chills up my spine, it was so exquisite.
Completely agree. I remember some reviews at the time the Gewandhaus recording came out saying that their fault is that they are too good -- too obviously virtuosic, the faultless breath control and phrasing is too amazing that it detracts from the songs! 😂😂 Somebody obviously annoyed that Sutherland had been outdone.
She ties for the best rendition with Kirk’s rendition (the Andrew Davis recording). Both of them are two of the most sublime singers and artists ever to have blessed the world
This is really THE reference recording of these songs. Even though, the violin solo is a slight low point, and has always been in my ears. I understand this better now as I know the violinist is something like 67 years old.
Spring In shadowy crypts I dreamt long of your trees and blue skies, of your fragrance and birdsong. Now you appear in all your finery, drenched in light like a miracle before me. You recognize me, you entice me tenderly. All my limbs tremble at your blessed presence! September The garden is in mourning. Cool rain seeps into the flowers. Summertime shudders, quietly awaiting his end. Golden leaf after leaf falls from the tall acacia tree. Summer smiles, astonished and feeble, at his dying dream of a garden. For just a while he tarries beside the roses, yearning for repose. Slowly he closes his weary eyes. Going to sleep Now that I am wearied of the day, my ardent desire shall happily receive the starry night like a sleepy child. Hands, stop all your work. Brow, forget all your thinking. All my senses now yearn to sink into slumber. And my unfettered soul wishes to soar up freely into night's magic sphere to live there deeply and thousandfold. At sunset We have through sorrow and joy gone hand in hand; From our wanderings, let's now rest in this quiet land. Around us, the valleys bow as the sun goes down. Two larks soar upwards dreamily into the light air. Come close, and let them fly. Soon it will be time for sleep. Let's not lose our way in this solitude. O vast, tranquil peace, so deep in the evening's glow! How weary we are of wandering - Is this perhaps a hint of death?
How moving to see her listening to her 40 years younger self, and the beautiful, exquisite solo of the long departed violinist. Her re-entry is one of the epic vocal crescendos. It's my favourite recording of these songs, but I've never heard this story.
One of the recordings when digital recording technology was still in its infancy, yet it stands as one of the greatest musical recordings of all time. The revolution of the CD was that suddenly an almost unfathomable dynamic range became possible compared to vinyl records or tapes, and everyone understood how to implement it with heart and technology. I thank everyone who was involved in this recording. This music helped me become a human being.
What a lovely story. Musicians, not compete with one another, but learn from one another. What an amazing recording, what a voice. What a great lady! 🌹🌹🌹
What was this event with Anna Deveare Smith by Ms. Norman's side? ADS for the win with the perfect finishing quote from Lena Horne, "Every woman needs a little Tina Turner in her."
I had the great fortune to hear the Four Last Songs with Jessye Norman and Sergiu Celibidache live in Munich in 1992. Those were the most beautiful 20 minutes in my whole life.
in 1987 a couple of friends and I decided to go to the Metropolitan Opera, my first opera night. We knew nothing about opera and didn't know the singers. So we chose a couple of Puccini and one Strauss, Ariadne auf Naxos which was the first opera we'd attend. Our seats were in row M (13). None of us knew what to expect ha ha ha! I was shaking all over when she sang and at the curtain fall, I remained catatonic for a couple of minutes. Talk about a first time 😂 this was the musical experience of my life. Kathleen Battle was also on the bill.
Wow! Great fortune indeed. Talk about a transcendent experience! It’s a shame EMI or DG didn’t release that as a recording in homage to three musical geniuses.
@@dennisdreyer1439 Yes, I also wondered why. Originally, Celibidache didn't want his radio recordings to be released, just as he refused to make any records at all. But many years after his death, his heirs needed some money, I suppose, and allowed the radio recordings to be released anyway. But this concert was not among them for some reason.
@@hape3862It really is a shame this one was not included. Maybe there was an issue with the recording. I know his son commissioned EMI to release his broadcast recordings with the Munich Philharmonic after Maestro Celibidache’s death. Thankfully for us, his son did not share his father’s aversion with recordings. Just curious, was Maestro Celibidache’s interpretation as expansive and slow as Kurt Masur’s? I find the slower tempo far more expressive with this music. His Bruckner was magnificent!
@@dennisdreyer1439 Yes, it was just as slow as Kurt Masur's recording. I recall that Jessye Norman got 20 minutes of standing ovations for 20 minutes of singing! (No encore, by the way.) I went to many concerts in Munich in the 80s and 90s and we used to make fun of Celi's tempi (we were young, that's my only excuse). It was only many years later, after of the long wait for his radio recordings, that I rediscovered him (and Bruckner!) and realised what a genius he really was. I have to confess another sin of my youth: I also went to Bernstein's famous performance of Haydn's "Creation" in Ottobeuren, which I also didn't immediately appreciate until I was later able to listen to the recording at home at leisure. - Like George Bernard Shaw said: "Youth is wasted on the young." …
I never heard this story until now !!!! It makes me cry These Four Last Songs are the most beautiful things I've ever heard in 65 years of listening to classical music. I ration the times I listen so as not to ever become immune to beauty of the music, Norman's voice and the orchestral playing.
Jessye Norman epitomized the highest stratum that human beings can reach. At once a consummate artist and a person who was able to transcend every limitation that our still-ignorant American culture would automatically place on someone from her background. She was born in Augusta, Georgia, to Silas Norman, an insurance salesman, and Janie King-Norman, a schoolteacher. She was one of five children.
I have always been a huge Jessye Norman fan, and the Four Last Songs are among her finest moments. Hearing her speak the interpretation as the music plays brought me to tears. Brava! RIP.
THank you so much for posting this, one of my favourite recordings of all time by this great artist, whom I heard many times in concerts and recitals. To see her listen to her own magnificent performance again after all those years is incredibly moving.
The story about the retiring concertmaster explains a lot to me. The story resolves one of my minor grievances with this recording: although this recording is legendary and it remains my favorite of Strauss' 'Vier Letzte Lieder', I have always found the violin soli in 'Beim Schlafengehen' (and also in 'Morgen' that is also on this disc) not up to par with the stellar performance of the rest of the ensemble. In places it is a bit unstable with questionable intonation. It is just not as vibrant as the soli in some of the other great recordings of this piece. I guess I will get some flak for this, but I really think this is the only weak point of this recording. That doesn't mean that there is no respect for the long career and excellence that this violinist had. There is. Does anyone know his name?
![ได้เวลา! พาน้องแฝดฉีดวัคซีนครบ 1 เดือน🫣 [cc] แดนแพทตี้ SS2 | EP.52 |](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IzeLtaXBLNE/mqdefault.jpg)
Jessye Norman is the epitome of what another musician said : "you cannot move other people if you are not moved yourself ".
Her phenomenal breath control let her do things with music that nobody else could do. But if breath control isn't paired with an understanding of the music, then it's just a parlor trick. And Miss Norman didn't do parlor tricks. ♥
I had no clue this recording could have such a trascendental value considering that was the last solo of the violinist.
No one, but NO ONE can sing these songs the way she did. It is absolutely transcendent, and the violinist's solo just sent chills up my spine, it was so exquisite.
You are so right.
Completely agree.
I remember some reviews at the time the Gewandhaus recording came out saying that their fault is that they are too good -- too obviously virtuosic, the faultless breath control and phrasing is too amazing that it detracts from the songs! 😂😂
Somebody obviously annoyed that Sutherland had been outdone.
@@andrewbentley849as if they could actually be ‘too perfect’.🙄 Silly.
She ties for the best rendition with Kirk’s rendition (the Andrew Davis recording). Both of them are two of the most sublime singers and artists ever to have blessed the world
Now I know why Herbet von Karajan was in awe of this lady! 😀
Oh, wait, I'm crying
Well choreographed.
This is really THE reference recording of these songs. Even though, the violin solo is a slight low point, and has always been in my ears. I understand this better now as I know the violinist is something like 67 years old.
Experience and technique can overcome age. I know from my own life.
Spring
In shadowy crypts
I dreamt long
of your trees and blue skies,
of your fragrance and birdsong.
Now you appear
in all your finery,
drenched in light
like a miracle before me.
You recognize me,
you entice me tenderly.
All my limbs tremble at
your blessed presence!
September
The garden is in mourning.
Cool rain seeps into the flowers.
Summertime shudders,
quietly awaiting his end.
Golden leaf after leaf falls
from the tall acacia tree.
Summer smiles, astonished and feeble,
at his dying dream of a garden.
For just a while he tarries
beside the roses, yearning for repose.
Slowly he closes
his weary eyes.
Going to sleep
Now that I am wearied of the day,
my ardent desire shall happily receive
the starry night
like a sleepy child.
Hands, stop all your work.
Brow, forget all your thinking.
All my senses now
yearn to sink into slumber.
And my unfettered soul
wishes to soar up freely
into night's magic sphere
to live there deeply and thousandfold.
At sunset
We have through sorrow and joy
gone hand in hand;
From our wanderings, let's now rest
in this quiet land.
Around us, the valleys bow
as the sun goes down.
Two larks soar upwards
dreamily into the light air.
Come close, and let them fly.
Soon it will be time for sleep.
Let's not lose our way
in this solitude.
O vast, tranquil peace,
so deep in the evening's glow!
How weary we are of wandering -
Is this perhaps a hint of death?
How moving to see her listening to her 40 years younger self, and the beautiful, exquisite solo of the long departed violinist. Her re-entry is one of the epic vocal crescendos. It's my favourite recording of these songs, but I've never heard this story.
Tears are falling down my cheeks, I absolutely LOVE her Four Last Songs they are the standard for me! Ever since I first heard them so many years ago!
I can't listen to this without crying!
I couldn't agree more. If I had to choose but one recording from the twentieth century, it would be JN's Four Last Songs.
@@markferwerda7968neither can I
One of the recordings when digital recording technology was still in its infancy, yet it stands as one of the greatest musical recordings of all time. The revolution of the CD was that suddenly an almost unfathomable dynamic range became possible compared to vinyl records or tapes, and everyone understood how to implement it with heart and technology. I thank everyone who was involved in this recording. This music helped me become a human being.
Saw her perform this in Salt Lake w Joseph Silverstein Took three days to come down!!
No words can describe this moment - it is sublime
What a lovely story. Musicians, not compete with one another, but learn from one another.
What an amazing recording, what a voice. What a great lady! 🌹🌹🌹
What was this event with Anna Deveare Smith by Ms. Norman's side? ADS for the win with the perfect finishing quote from Lena Horne, "Every woman needs a little Tina Turner in her."
No one like her … no one ❤️❤️❤️❤️
SUPERB GRAND LADY- I am in tears
One of the greatest artists that ever lived- JESSYE NORMAN- PERFECT ETERNAL PEACE UPON YOU❤❤❤
Miss Nornan, wonderful as usual ! She is a world heritage !
Tear jerking to say the least. Long and long live Jessie in our memories,,
I had the great fortune to hear the Four Last Songs with Jessye Norman and Sergiu Celibidache live in Munich in 1992. Those were the most beautiful 20 minutes in my whole life.
in 1987 a couple of friends and I decided to go to the Metropolitan Opera, my first opera night. We knew nothing about opera and didn't know the singers. So we chose a couple of Puccini and one Strauss, Ariadne auf Naxos which was the first opera we'd attend. Our seats were in row M (13). None of us knew what to expect ha ha ha! I was shaking all over when she sang and at the curtain fall, I remained catatonic for a couple of minutes. Talk about a first time 😂 this was the musical experience of my life. Kathleen Battle was also on the bill.
Wow! Great fortune indeed. Talk about a transcendent experience! It’s a shame EMI or DG didn’t release that as a recording in homage to three musical geniuses.
@@dennisdreyer1439 Yes, I also wondered why. Originally, Celibidache didn't want his radio recordings to be released, just as he refused to make any records at all. But many years after his death, his heirs needed some money, I suppose, and allowed the radio recordings to be released anyway. But this concert was not among them for some reason.
@@hape3862It really is a shame this one was not included. Maybe there was an issue with the recording. I know his son commissioned EMI to release his broadcast recordings with the Munich Philharmonic after Maestro Celibidache’s death. Thankfully for us, his son did not share his father’s aversion with recordings.
Just curious, was Maestro Celibidache’s interpretation as expansive and slow as Kurt Masur’s? I find the slower tempo far more expressive with this music. His Bruckner was magnificent!
@@dennisdreyer1439 Yes, it was just as slow as Kurt Masur's recording. I recall that Jessye Norman got 20 minutes of standing ovations for 20 minutes of singing! (No encore, by the way.)
I went to many concerts in Munich in the 80s and 90s and we used to make fun of Celi's tempi (we were young, that's my only excuse). It was only many years later, after of the long wait for his radio recordings, that I rediscovered him (and Bruckner!) and realised what a genius he really was.
I have to confess another sin of my youth: I also went to Bernstein's famous performance of Haydn's "Creation" in Ottobeuren, which I also didn't immediately appreciate until I was later able to listen to the recording at home at leisure. - Like George Bernard Shaw said: "Youth is wasted on the young." …
Fortunate people, we who relate to such an Artist's Art.
Cet extrait est absolument sublime. Merci maître Richard Strauss et immense merci Jessye Norman . . . .
I never heard this story until now !!!! It makes me cry These Four Last Songs are the most beautiful things I've ever heard in 65 years of listening to classical music. I ration the times I listen so as not to ever become immune to beauty of the music, Norman's voice and the orchestral playing.
Merveilleuse Jessye!
The power and beauty of her voice are unique and magical. Oh, how I wish Jessye Norman made many more recordings.
Jessye Norman epitomized the highest stratum that human beings can reach. At once a consummate artist and a person who was able to transcend every limitation that our still-ignorant American culture would automatically place on someone from her background. She was born in Augusta, Georgia, to Silas Norman, an insurance salesman, and Janie King-Norman, a schoolteacher. She was one of five children.
Sadly the best leave first . Amazing Jessye , so fluent , so elegant , we miss you .
I have always been a huge Jessye Norman fan, and the Four Last Songs are among her finest moments. Hearing her speak the interpretation as the music plays brought me to tears. Brava! RIP.
Ее невозможно слушать без слез... Она поет эту музыку просто гениально❤
Sobbing at a bus stop
THE recording of these songs.
THank you so much for posting this, one of my favourite recordings of all time by this great artist, whom I heard many times in concerts and recitals. To see her listen to her own magnificent performance again after all those years is incredibly moving.
How profound. How also sad that we lost another legend who was mentioned at the very end of this video.
Nobody else like her. Pure art, pure genius.
I'm in tears. Incredible, marvelous.
Desert island disc. The only one if I could only take one.
Ah my lady, thank you for coming into my life.
She was a true artist.
😍😍😍😍😍
🙌🙌🌹🌹👏👏👏🇧🇷🇧🇷
So moving. Thanks for uploading this!!
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😢
Excellent
💔
How would I get permission to play this video?
The story about the retiring concertmaster explains a lot to me. The story resolves one of my minor grievances with this recording: although this recording is legendary and it remains my favorite of Strauss' 'Vier Letzte Lieder', I have always found the violin soli in 'Beim Schlafengehen' (and also in 'Morgen' that is also on this disc) not up to par with the stellar performance of the rest of the ensemble. In places it is a bit unstable with questionable intonation. It is just not as vibrant as the soli in some of the other great recordings of this piece. I guess I will get some flak for this, but I really think this is the only weak point of this recording. That doesn't mean that there is no respect for the long career and excellence that this violinist had. There is. Does anyone know his name?
Music speaks, she could have relied more on that. This was not an opera.
who cares about Tina turner?
silly