What is your favorite Strauss The Last Four Songs?

I do love this piece deeply. One night I can't stop myself playing it continuously (4 times).

Sugarbrie,

Please kindly provide more details in term of the difference(s) between Schwarzkopf under the directions of Szell and Ackerman which is available on CD format, EMI CDH 61001. I am always wondering which recording I should collect.

The other post-war composition moves me profoundly is Metamorphosen. I can still remember so vivid the performance by Dresden Staatskapelle under the direction of Sinopoli at Carnegie Hall a few years ago. Subtle and refine. It is all history now. Pity!

Happy Listening!

Otto

Hi Otto!
I suggest you get both Schwarzkopf recordings.
To quote John B. Steane, the eminent Gramophone critic, as he remarks in his eloquent notes "... the two performances are complementary, one does not have to choose between the freshness of the (Ackerman) one and the experience of the other (Szell)."

I have multiple recordings of many pieces of music. I enjoy them all for various reasons. I guess I should pick up the Ackerman on CD also.

as a supplement to schwarzkopf w/szell, i find myself going to felicity lott. i love her voice - its a little lightweight compared to others but in this music i find that i actually prefer that.

Sugarbrie / Newbee,

Please kindly advise your favorite performance(s) of Metamorphosen.

Thanks!

Otto

otto, while i like von karajan's lp i'm not too fond of the recording by dg. i find myself listening to jarvi on chandos as it contains a good version of tod und verklarung and drei hymnen as well as metamorphosen (it also has lott). and, ormandy doing death and transfiguration and metamorphosen with the philadelphia on rca is worthwile as well. i'm sure there are others but this is such intense music that i seldom listen to it and have not really explored other performance possibilities.