Kiri is up there with the best but of course the real winner is Richard Strauss who left us all with the most beautiful song cycle ever created and of course it will now never be equalled.
Although I believe Kiri has sung Italian repertoire incredibly well, I firmly believe that Strauss was her forte. It's absolutely stunning...smart woman, beautiful voice :)
This is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard, largely because of Kiri Te Kanawa's voice. Hearing her is a source of absolute ecstasy for me.
This is the only version I can listen to that's not Jessye Norman. It's a sensitive performance. I think what she lacks in sophistication and timing she makes up for through originality and humility of interpretation and a loving and alive sound.
The Year of Living Dangerously is a wonderful atmospheric movie and this consumately beautiful song leaves one lost for words. Then as someone once said 'When words finish music continues'.
Why is this so hard to find? Why isn't the Helen Hunt/Year of Living Dangerously moment with Kiri Te Kanewa built into the available search engines front and center? (Personal rambling, sorry. But for me such a powerful/historical musical/video moment.
Yet once again, Dame Kiri satisfies, fulfills, exalts the music to a higher plane. What a voice--- light and crystalline, but with just enough steel in it to sing some of the heavier repertoire successfully. Not to mention the delicate artistry with which she embues everything she sings.
i'm uncomfortably aware of all the effort that Kiri is putting into this, unlike Lucia Popp for Solti who seems to make it without effort at all. That is true artistry.
If she actually gave it so much effort, she didn't do it as well it sould be. In the end there is some kind of lack of feeling, expression, even facially. It oughts to be so comovent that we all fall in love for the song -- and the girl who is singing it. It is not as perfect as I expected from Kiri, but still, beautiful. For instante, HERE, I like better hearing Mrs Fleming, Kiri's 'voice succession' (I believe).
This woman is phenomenal. I love the recording - good editing can take out some of the imperfections. One of the best solo violins I have heard of this. I just wish the video did not reduce the audio quality and switch to street noises when the violin solo started - very tacky. Was this recording released? I'd like to get it. I've been listening to Jesse Norman for so many years but I like this better.
RIP Gerhart Hetzel! (The concertmaster who plays the solo)
He fell during a hiking expedition in July '92 and despite an emergency operation in Salzburg, died shortly thereafter. Search his name on the Vienna Phil website for the full story. Very tragic.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
This must be one of the least successfull vocal interpretations of The Four Last Songs. Lucia Popp, Gundula Janowitz, even Jessye Norman, or Margaret Price. Te Kanawa was a fine singer, but let's not make her greater than she was.
If Te Kanawa was good at something, this was the endless lines in a velvety color that remain unmatched... especially in a piece like that where the emotional involvement is not that of an italian aria...
Here the sheer beauty of her voice is enough to put her -if not above everyone- at least at the top among the best interpretations!
She is BIG in a big way. We don't need to make her any greater than what she is... there is not much space left...
@CONTESTAR you just put my adoration for Kiri into words! I completely agree. I think Kiri's gift is so rare, and too much praise is impossible. I enjoy what you said about the emotional involvement not that of an italian aria, it's very true...Strauss has a very profound sense of meaning beyond that of most italian rep
I have listened to every performance of these songs that I can find, and I continually am impressed with the sublime nature of Strauss' music. Not many sopranos, however, are blessed with the vocal instrument to sing his long, smooth, soring lines well without breaking those lines for additional breaths, without sliding to high notes, and without undue warble. For that reason, the golden voice of Gundula Janowitz remains my favorite by far.
This one is brilliant. I got to see her in Chicago this summer and it was such a joy to hear her in person. I love this song. In fact, I'm going to start singing it in my voice lessons. Kiri's got such a warm, full, rich tone, and it just flows effortlessly in this very aethereal song. Thanks for posting it!
However beautiful this is (and it surely IS!) her previous recording with Davies on CBS Records (about a decade earlier) is all th emore STUNNING! Listen to it.
Also the woman's technique is near flawless. No tension on the jaw or tongue, no shakes or rattle. Just easy, controlled, seemingly effortless vocal production. Fabulous!
May I second that opinion. That performance was perfect. Of course, there's so much that can be done in the editing room... but even so, whatever their choices.... perfect.
I'm not far behind you on that one. Strauss could certainly get inside a phrase,to say the least,and with poetry this sublime he simply takes one's heart to heaven.
This is one of my favorite songs and also my favorite violin solo. It's so hauntingly beautiful! I remember Kiri saying that she happened to be in the middle of performing this piece when both her parents died, first one thaen the other, though at different times. Thanks for posting it Amethyst.
Kiri is up there with the best but of course the real winner is Richard Strauss who left us all with the most beautiful song cycle ever created and of course it will now never be equalled.
TheVaughan5 1 month ago
Although I believe Kiri has sung Italian repertoire incredibly well, I firmly believe that Strauss was her forte. It's absolutely stunning...smart woman, beautiful voice :)
aljazeerkazan 2 months ago
This is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've ever heard, largely because of Kiri Te Kanawa's voice. Hearing her is a source of absolute ecstasy for me.
PoeBoy51 2 months ago
@PoeBoy51 Try hearing Gundula Janowitz or Renée Fleming here on youtube. I think you'll find a treasure there.
avarmadillo 1 day ago
Comment removed
56mikeo 6 months ago
This is the only song that I have never, and probably can't, grow tired of repeatedly listening.
TheShinhung 8 months ago
This is the only version I can listen to that's not Jessye Norman. It's a sensitive performance. I think what she lacks in sophistication and timing she makes up for through originality and humility of interpretation and a loving and alive sound.
bendabledoll 9 months ago
Sloppy and forced interpretation. Compared to the Norman way it's very poor.
yvesvangelre 1 year ago
sloppy german phrasing... superb voice
(90s recording... with pics of vienna in the 70s?)
8897670 1 year ago
The Year of Living Dangerously is a wonderful atmospheric movie and this consumately beautiful song leaves one lost for words. Then as someone once said 'When words finish music continues'.
Martinmartyboy 1 year ago
Gracias Dios mío, por premiar nuestros oídos con esta creación maravillosa, digna de ti.
ximenadore 1 year ago
Des oeuvres de R STAUSS Je n'aime que ses dernières Mais à un Quel point! C'est sublime tous ce lieders de la maturité.
fouloas 1 year ago
Why is this so hard to find? Why isn't the Helen Hunt/Year of Living Dangerously moment with Kiri Te Kanewa built into the available search engines front and center? (Personal rambling, sorry. But for me such a powerful/historical musical/video moment.
5293278363 1 year ago 4
@5293278363 I guess you weren't searching properly? :-)
I think the actress is Linda Hunt. She won best supporting actress for her role ( I just watched her acceptance speech here in you tube).
If I can find the dvd I will post part of the movie one day ..
Amethyst888 1 year ago
@Amethyst888 Year of living dangerously (you mean Linda Hunt not Helen)
teoriadeiquanti 5 months ago
@teoriadeiquanti Yes that's what I said, Linda Hunt is the actress who played Billie.
Amethyst888 5 months ago
Yet once again, Dame Kiri satisfies, fulfills, exalts the music to a higher plane. What a voice--- light and crystalline, but with just enough steel in it to sing some of the heavier repertoire successfully. Not to mention the delicate artistry with which she embues everything she sings.
gimmeachallenge 2 years ago
i'm uncomfortably aware of all the effort that Kiri is putting into this, unlike Lucia Popp for Solti who seems to make it without effort at all. That is true artistry.
metacarple 2 years ago
Comment removed
LordMgls 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
If she actually gave it so much effort, she didn't do it as well it sould be. In the end there is some kind of lack of feeling, expression, even facially. It oughts to be so comovent that we all fall in love for the song -- and the girl who is singing it. It is not as perfect as I expected from Kiri, but still, beautiful. For instante, HERE, I like better hearing Mrs Fleming, Kiri's 'voice succession' (I believe).
LordMgls 2 years ago
In loving memory of Gerhart Hetzel (co-concertmaster and principal 1st violinist) of Wiener Philharmoniker.
alan1963 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
LordMgls 2 years ago
The first time round, released by CBS /SONY and under the baton of Pritchard, is much preferable to this one.
mannail888 2 years ago
This woman is phenomenal. I love the recording - good editing can take out some of the imperfections. One of the best solo violins I have heard of this. I just wish the video did not reduce the audio quality and switch to street noises when the violin solo started - very tacky. Was this recording released? I'd like to get it. I've been listening to Jesse Norman for so many years but I like this better.
bracrowe 2 years ago 3
Sweetthang9, at 4:00 she is probably getting rid of tension.
allislove1 2 years ago
RIP Gerhart Hetzel! (The concertmaster who plays the solo)
He fell during a hiking expedition in July '92 and despite an emergency operation in Salzburg, died shortly thereafter. Search his name on the Vienna Phil website for the full story. Very tragic.
GSYBE631 2 years ago
Thanks for posting!
I like the 3.23 moment. Her voice seems to be a bit off when she sings "Nacht". Kiri seems to notice it, smiles and continues very powerfully.
K2NL1 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This must be one of the least successfull vocal interpretations of The Four Last Songs. Lucia Popp, Gundula Janowitz, even Jessye Norman, or Margaret Price. Te Kanawa was a fine singer, but let's not make her greater than she was.
hwhap13 2 years ago
That is a joke right? She is beautiful, her line is perfect.
welovegorillas 2 years ago 3
I noticed it, too. Regardless, I absolutely love her.
hroark91 2 years ago
This is a biased comment to say the least.
If Te Kanawa was good at something, this was the endless lines in a velvety color that remain unmatched... especially in a piece like that where the emotional involvement is not that of an italian aria...
Here the sheer beauty of her voice is enough to put her -if not above everyone- at least at the top among the best interpretations!
She is BIG in a big way. We don't need to make her any greater than what she is... there is not much space left...
CONTESTAR 2 years ago 10
@CONTESTAR you just put my adoration for Kiri into words! I completely agree. I think Kiri's gift is so rare, and too much praise is impossible. I enjoy what you said about the emotional involvement not that of an italian aria, it's very true...Strauss has a very profound sense of meaning beyond that of most italian rep
saxamaphoneguy1 1 year ago
What does she do at 4:00? Haha
Sweetthang9 2 years ago 3
Probably cussing some subtlety of phrasing that didn't come out exactly how she wanted.
atyy73 2 years ago
Her phrasing is flawless, and her voice is golden. As always, Kiri, Brava.
saxamaphoneguy1 2 years ago 2
can we see this video again maybe?
thx
yomisma77 3 years ago
It is actually posted by another youtube user,blubelle225 , do a search "Kiri & Solti" and you will see the complete video.. ;-)
Amethyst888 3 years ago
I have listened to every performance of these songs that I can find, and I continually am impressed with the sublime nature of Strauss' music. Not many sopranos, however, are blessed with the vocal instrument to sing his long, smooth, soring lines well without breaking those lines for additional breaths, without sliding to high notes, and without undue warble. For that reason, the golden voice of Gundula Janowitz remains my favorite by far.
sfkcbf 3 years ago
I love Kiri too. However, as you say, Gundula does have that golden voice. She is special.
swanningaround 3 years ago 4
sweet stretch volvo
ayso78 3 years ago
This one is brilliant. I got to see her in Chicago this summer and it was such a joy to hear her in person. I love this song. In fact, I'm going to start singing it in my voice lessons. Kiri's got such a warm, full, rich tone, and it just flows effortlessly in this very aethereal song. Thanks for posting it!
ebaytimr 3 years ago 4
However beautiful this is (and it surely IS!) her previous recording with Davies on CBS Records (about a decade earlier) is all th emore STUNNING! Listen to it.
Also the woman's technique is near flawless. No tension on the jaw or tongue, no shakes or rattle. Just easy, controlled, seemingly effortless vocal production. Fabulous!
XPRT10R 3 years ago 3
It isn't on youtube, that Davies on CBS-version, isn't it? I couldn't find it, but I would like to see. Any help? thanks! :-)
MariekeKirkland 3 years ago
There is no video of that version. It is just a CD:
XPRT10R 3 years ago
May I second that opinion. That performance was perfect. Of course, there's so much that can be done in the editing room... but even so, whatever their choices.... perfect.
LazlosPlane 2 years ago
Divine. my favorite
theblueangel28 3 years ago 4
Kiri ist einfach ganz wunderbar!!!!
uorgel 3 years ago 3
The Andrew Davis conducting version seems far better
maiklavincent 3 years ago
I'm not far behind you on that one. Strauss could certainly get inside a phrase,to say the least,and with poetry this sublime he simply takes one's heart to heaven.
giugiu57 4 years ago 2
This is one of my favorites with her and Solti! Thanks for posting!
RRydnew 4 years ago
This is one of my favorite songs and also my favorite violin solo. It's so hauntingly beautiful! I remember Kiri saying that she happened to be in the middle of performing this piece when both her parents died, first one thaen the other, though at different times. Thanks for posting it Amethyst.
angelitornado 4 years ago
Thank you so much for this. Two wonderful people - Kiri and Solti, such good friends, making sublime music together.
I loved the translations to what is probably my very favourite piece of music of all time.
manatau1 4 years ago