She was just amazing.I love her especially in the late romantic stuff. Looking back on it, she was almost singlehandedly responsible for starting to open my ears to opera and orchestral lieder, as she was the featured singer in the records that introduced me to the Liebestod and to the Gurrelieder (two of the dearest pieces of all time for me ever since). And I am usually a little skeptical about such an intense vibrato, but she just makes it a joy to listen to, and it's still rare for me to find another voice which has it so spot-on.
I am a Norman fan, and I have the box. I've been waiting with interest for this review and I agree that the family should be thanked for releasing these recordings. The Four Last Songs are an interesting comparison with her Mazur set but, as you rightly point out, they're never going to be as utterly glorious. She herself said that it was 'a bit of a cheek doing them again.' For some reason I couldn't enjoy the Tristan as much as I thought I would for wondering why it wasn't a hapoy experience for her or Mazur. I think disc 3 is a treasure. It's a really interesting set and a great addition to her legacy. If only the Elektra with Abbado rumours were true!
YES!!!! She's wearing all black, stunning hair style and GLORIUOS tone. The 4th Last Song seems even slower than Masur, but she has ENDLESS breath and masks the phrases with her customary magic.
@@violadamore2-bu2ch there were some magical performances in that hall in Geneva in the 1970s. Miss Norman also wore that dress for Beethoven's 9th with Solti at the proms. She was always stunning.
On my list if “i wish they made a recording of XYZ”, is a Norman Sibelius orchestra songs CD! Svarta rosor, the tryst etc - like the famous Nilsson and Flagstad recordings of similar repertoire.
She was just amazing.I love her especially in the late romantic stuff. Looking back on it, she was almost singlehandedly responsible for starting to open my ears to opera and orchestral lieder, as she was the featured singer in the records that introduced me to the Liebestod and to the Gurrelieder (two of the dearest pieces of all time for me ever since). And I am usually a little skeptical about such an intense vibrato, but she just makes it a joy to listen to, and it's still rare for me to find another voice which has it so spot-on.
Ah that famous Four Last Songs on Phillips-the first CD I ever bought in March of 1986.
I'm thankful this set was released. Norman was the underground recordings purveyor's worse nightmare. I think she put one of them out of business.
I am a Norman fan, and I have the box. I've been waiting with interest for this review and I agree that the family should be thanked for releasing these recordings. The Four Last Songs are an interesting comparison with her Mazur set but, as you rightly point out, they're never going to be as utterly glorious. She herself said that it was 'a bit of a cheek doing them again.' For some reason I couldn't enjoy the Tristan as much as I thought I would for wondering why it wasn't a hapoy experience for her or Mazur. I think disc 3 is a treasure. It's a really interesting set and a great addition to her legacy. If only the Elektra with Abbado rumours were true!
@@poturbg8698 yes, a stunning performance!
That rumoured Elektra was with Polaski, not Norman...apparently
YES!!!! She's wearing all black, stunning hair style and GLORIUOS tone. The 4th Last Song seems even slower than Masur, but she has ENDLESS breath and masks the phrases with her customary magic.
@@violadamore2-bu2ch there were some magical performances in that hall in Geneva in the 1970s. Miss Norman also wore that dress for Beethoven's 9th with Solti at the proms. She was always stunning.
Thank you for this very nice review.
On my list if “i wish they made a recording of XYZ”, is a Norman Sibelius orchestra songs CD! Svarta rosor, the tryst etc - like the famous Nilsson and Flagstad recordings of similar repertoire.
Happy Thanksgiving, Dave!
Same to you!