Korngold - Die tote Stadt - Finale

[SuperKatrak]

Tuhle operu já osobně milují,je skvělá...Sice jsem čech,ale rozumím jí....

[Rodolfo2882]

In commenting other excerpts of this opera I have always evoked my happy life in common with my beloved wife Julia. When she recently passed away of cancer, this opera, again, touched my heart in the form of sweet nostalgia for her

[dalecampbl9]

I love Korngolds 20th century romanticism...that's why he's still enjoyable

[nitrateboy]

IMOP the best recording of "The Dead City". Korngold's music has haunted and inspired me since I was a small boy when I first discovered his magnificent music watching his old Warner Bros. movies on t.v. Then I began collecting as many recordings of his music I could lay my hands on. This, the violin concerto and the 16 film scores. He truly is the last great romantic composer, the last true melodist, of the 20th century.

[qklq42]

Some 50 years ago I saw this opera on the Belgian TV in a performance out of Brugge. I was then16 yo. When I thight my eyes I can see it now again. Wonderful music, wonderful singing and wonderful scenes.

This music is so beautiful.... Its like music right from heaven !

Hans NL

[MusicalTenor23]

I dont have a DVD of this opera, but Ive heard an aria from this " O freund, ich werde sie something.. and its so beautiful..

[jgesselberty]

How sad that Korngold is not better known for his serious works. This and the sublime "Das Wunder der Heliane" deserve to be heard much more often.

[Severolus]

@jgesselberty what about "Violanta"? :-)

[GGbreizh]

@jgesselberty It is the same for John Williams and Herrmann.

[jgesselberty]

@GGbreizh True. Yet, Korngold was an established composer who had to turn to Hollywood to survive, while Herrmann and Williams, embraced Hollywood at an early stage and thrived.

[25Marinus]

And to me, this opera is one of the most beautyful of all opera's.

[25Marinus]

To my opinion, the best recording of this opera. Al singers in it are great.

[runupahill1]

Just a bit to add. I thank you, severolus, for Korngold----I believe he was the only real creative genius in the Romantic mode following Mahler and Strauss. He was able to rise above even the commercial oil slick of Hollywood, but, alas, not for long. He was very unhappy at the end. Thank you!

[runupahill1]

Yuck! I'm not so much forgetting him as actively repressing him. I agree with you; he was my mother's idol; I was probably conceived to the schmaltzy tunes of his piano concerto; I grew up (stunted) amidst all that romantic post revolution Russian sludge. Thank God I discovered true geniuses behind all that drivel--Stravinsky and Prokofiev!

[47viviane]

they did a rivival at Frankfurt/Main in automn this year broadcasted live unfortunately radio only perhaps tv will follow and he will get some of the recognition he so deserves

[kleinkeske]

I have this cd at home and I love it to bits Kollo and the amazing ms Neblett, what a performance. Fantastic music! But what do you want..Korngold ! I live in Bruges so this opera is very special to me as it is situated there. When you walk the old streets at night with this music in your head it has a special effect on you. ...Tote stadt lovers...try it...highly recommended ! lol

[runupahill1]

Sandymouthbay, Korngold invented HOLLYWOOD. In fact his music and all its clones were the secret soundtracks to thousand of lonely wives during the Depression and World War II. Herr Korngold was almost single-handedly responsible for the baby-boom we're now inflicting on younger generations.

[47viviane]

ehm ... aren't you forgetting about Rachmaninoff?? He WAS the first ....

[BillSalem]

This music is geschmecht! Pure Vienna. With more than a sprinkling of the silvery Rosenkavelier and Ariadne Auf Naxos.

[67xenon]

I think, Kollo does ist perfectly, he seems to understand the feelings of Paul much better than James King. I am very sorry for you gpetaluma, it must be the worst time of yout live now. Though it seems you have wounderful memorys of your wife, that is more, than most people have and it will remain with you. All the best for you!

[gpetaluma]

I saw this with my wife this past fall in San Francisco - When at the end of this finale - He realized - she was gone - my wife and I looked at each other - we got it - My JoAnn passed away suddenly on March 12 of cancer - The meaning of this opera is with me - I love you my sweet JoAnn

[suzbailey23]

@gpetaluma: your comment brought tears to my eyes. My deepest condolences for your loss.

[ANFeuerstahl]

Korngold is underestimated. I just don't know why. Die Tote Stadt is one of the best operas of the last century.

[baritoneisbest]

This Opera is so thickly scored for orchestra and the vocal parts are so extremely taxing that an opera house would have to have some serious resources to pull it off. Mz. Neblett is my voice teacher and this is by far her most amazing recording and her stories from this recording session could fill a bestseller of a novel.

[kgarmaker123]

You are fortunate to have such a good singer as your teacher.. You tell Ms. neblett she has had an admirer in Georgia for a long long time. Amazing singer.

[TheLanilsson]

yeah i agree! Mrs. Neblett was a extraordinary singer, one of the greatest!!!

[enfava]

What an amazing opera! I do agree that both, melody and depth have something in common with Richard Strauss but Korngold added a suitable dose of sweetness.

[sandymouthbay]

When it comes to opera there is no perfect recording. Available or chosen singers/conductor; tastes differ.

To me, Leinsdorf interpretation gives this a touch of the sound of Janacek, whereas so often it sounds like Hollywood! Even if it was before korngold went there.

[wesskin]

By this recording ( SUPERB ) i discovered the music of Korngold, such a beautiful opera and please accept the singers, you're free to look for another recording .This recording has give me so much and still does !

[billyguns2]

Go listen to James King sing this from a live performance with Karan Armstrong for a virile, full-voiced performance; King is past his prime, but is light years ahead of Kollo, IMO.

[exdiva46]

Yes, I agree, then listen to Ben Heppner's concert performance of "O Freund..." here.

[billyguns2]

I often wonder what Korngold would have given us had he not gone to Hollywood and composed some of the greatest film scores ever written; to think this is the work of a young man in his early twenties is astonishing. The recording of this complete opera was welcome, but I wish anyone but Kollo had been chosen; I cannot abide the sound of that voice.

[wesskin]

I just accept the singers - they've given me so much during listening and discovering this marvelous opera !

[MisterRayVideo]

I agree. But his "King's Row" (sadly out of print) and the complete "Adventures of Robin Hood" (his only Oscar) give me goosebumps!

[jdahlen24]

I am generally not a huge fan of Kollo's, except in this recording, and Solti's Mahler 8th with the CSO on Decca.

Somehow, Kollo completely sweeps me away as Paul in this recording. I've listened to many others...King, Tauber, Heppner. But, to my ears, Kollo is the best.

[ipmoic]

Just lovely and touching. Yes, this is the language of Richard Strauss, but Korngold speaks it so well!