Lotte Lehmann - Isolde'sLiebestod

Lotte Lehmann singing Isolde's Liebestod from Wagner's Tristan und Isolde for Odeon in 1930. She did not believe that she had the voice for this role but longed to be able to sing it. This is her only recording from this opera. The piece starts in the middle of side 1 - that's why the piece of tape. Not even a band break. Side 1 begins with Du Bist der Lenz from Die Walkure.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lehmann
• Odeon
• Wagner
• Liebestod
• Victor
• Orthophonic

[796824]

If only the singers or rather their teachers today would be able to grasp the technique, brilliance, spontaneity, artistry, that the Golden Age of Singers exemplified

[merrihew]

Check out the film clip of her that I posted.

[Ostasio]

Perhaps the most beautiful German voice ever recorded.

[merrihew]

You don't have to convince me.

[Federicopera]

Great, I want more Lottes stuff!!! She is poetess!!!!

[uniqueattack]

especially the beauty of pure tone without tricks and the wonderful bel canto approach

[martinr10001]

thanks so much-martin r.

[martinr10001]

one of the greatest Wagner singers--thanks so much-Martin R.

[65attila]

Lotte's singing here and whatever else she sang had layers of expression.

[pianoboyo]

Its stunning sound. I totally agree, that she seems to burn up from the inside. Its a sensational performance. I just CANNOT BELIEVE that any producer could put a side turn right in the middle of Liebestod. It's criminal, there must be an onward flow from first note to beyond the last note!

[Noshirm]

Thank you so much for this incredible post, where Lehmann does incredible justice to this piece! (:-o)

[paulostroff99]

Awesome!

[1psoas9]

Aside from her singhing ,which is glorious in a unique way, there is her conception of hte role, which is heroic to the highest degree -- her soul seems to destroy her body in her haste to join Tristan, in no way mrbidlyt -- there is NO morbidezza here, no "rich to die" sensibility, she just burns through herself like a phoenix. i'm almost equaly amazed how good this old record sounds on the machine it was made to be played on.

[merrihew]

I have subsequently found that indeed, speeds were still ranging from about 76 to 80 rpm even by the major producers after the advent of electrical recording. Lacking scores all I can do is compare with a trusted CD reissue.

[troppofiato]

Wonderful - and really amazingly good sound! Love seeing your record player too! Never heard the Liebestod at such a clip - gives it urgency and passion, but I'm wondering if it was a musical decision or just trying to fit it into the record - remember reading Ponselle complaining about some of her records that were rushed for this very same reason.