Karl Hammes sings Pierrots Tanzlied (Die tote Stadt by Korngold) 1930

The great German baritone Karl Hammes (1896-1939) gives a superb account here of the celebrated Pierrots Tanzlied from the opera Die tote Stadt by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, recorded in Vienna on October 7 1930, with the Vienna State Opera Orchestra and members of the chorus (the 8 off stage sopranos are featured - an unusual extravagance then), conducted by Karl Alwin. It is perhaps the finest interpretation from before the war.

Most importantly, Hammes sings this star baritone aria at the correct tempo, unlike most of today's interpreters who insist on conducting and singing this at a leaden pace, elongating the melodic line until it resembles a funeral march. It is supposed to be a waltz song and regularly 'stopped the show' before WW2, as popular as a salon piece as anything by Lehar. Richard Mayr created the part in Vienna in 1921 and set the style (though sadly did not record it) and Hammes, a WW1 Flying Ace who then became a singer, inherited his mantle in Vienna from 1929 onwards. He was a noted Don Giovanni, sang a memorable Harlekin in Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos at the Salzburg Festival of 1935 (the broadcast survives) and was noted for singing modern works too, including Weinberger's Schwanda the Bagpiper, Bittner's Das Weilchen and Korngold's Die tote Stadt. He made few records which on this evidence, is most regrettable.

Young baritones should listen to this - and learn!

[NB The photo of Korngold is autographed by him in Hamburg on the day of the world premiere - 4 December 1920)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Karl Hammes
• Pierrotlied
• Erich Wolfgang Korngold
• Die tote Stadt