Strauss: Vier Letzte Lieder

LPA

1. Nr. 1 Frühling (Nach Gedichten Von Hesse)
2. Nr. 2 September (Nach Gedichten Von Hesse)
3. Nr. 3 Beim Schlafengehen (Nach Gedichten Von Hesse)
4. Nr. 4 Im Abendrot (Nach Gedichten Von Eichendorff)
5. Nr. 2 Muttertändelei (Nach Texten Von Bürger)
6. Nr. 1 Waldseligkeit (Nach Texten Von Dehmel)
7. Nr. 1 Zueignung (Orchestriert Von Heger)
8. Nr. 1 Freundliche Vision
9. Nr. 6 Die Heiligen Drei Könige

LPB

1. Muttertändelei, Op.43/2 (Bürger)
2. Waldseligkeit, Op.49/1
3. Zueignung, Op.10/1
4. Freundliche Vision, Op.48/1 (Bierbaum) 
5. Die Heiligen Drei Könige, Op.56/6
    

In 2015, we are celebrating the centenary of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, one of the greatest singers of the 20th century. Warner Classics will actively commemorate this centenary, starting with this LP re-release of her landmark recording of Strauss’ Four last songs, recorded in September 1965 under George Szell’s direction. 2016 will also mark 10 years since the soprano’s passing.

The sublime and moving culmination of Richard Strauss’s love affair with the soprano voice, the Vier letzte Lieder are interpreted by Elisabeth Schwarzkopf with insight, wisdom and gentle radiance. In the early years of his career, George Szell was mentored by Richard Strauss himself, and he provides Schwarzkopf with an exquisitely sensitive orchestral context for all nine songs in this classic anthology.

Following the success of the Callas Remastered LP (6000 sales over the counter) and the booming demand for LPs, Warner Classics brings back another legendary soprano into its LP catalogue. Whilst the original album programme has been kept, this LP reissue benefits from a new cover: the magnificent classic portrait shot of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf taken by Angus McBean at the peak of her beauty.