Renee Fleming - Strauss' 4 Last Songs - September

........and don't forget Jessye Norman.

If you woulld only try to listen and enjoy a bit more in both this music and the beauty of her voice and performance instead of trying to judge everything and everyone you might actually realise how beautiful this is in its own way - AS A SINGER, I CAN ONLY SAY THAT EVERY BIRD SINGS WITH ITS OWN VOICE AND HERS IS SPECIAL AND UNIQUE!!!

You stand corrected ;)...Gundula Janowitz's recording is my favorite.

And I LOVE all of Renee Fleming's interpretations of the work. Her two recordings along with her work here and with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Eschenbach at Carnegie Hall in 2004.

They are certainly different, and I have my reasons why Janowitz is my favorite...but Renee Flemings are, musically, so intelligent that I can't help but be moved by them.

You're quite right. Nobody who heared Janowitz sing these songs can really like Flemming's interpretation.

There are so many fabulous recordings of these songs, I'm afraid Renée isn't really up to her competition. If you like this, listen to Schwarzkopf (two versions), Janowitz (with Karajan), or Lucia Popp.

"a kind of opiated delirium" well said!

That french horn, from 4:30-around 4:55 is absolutely gorgeous. That is perfect. You probably do not have a soul if that doesn't touch you.

With the superb partnership of Maestro Christoph Eschenbach, Madame Fleming's artistry is fully realized.

I don't know about all the technical "stuff;" I just know what moves and grooves with me, and Fleming does it for me. That one had me on my knees. Lord, that woman makes me weak.

Perfect!

Fleming's inflections are fine although the tempo frequently challenge the naturalness of her expression. This music is very sensual and that can be a hazard if the lines are extended into a kind of opiated delium. Strauss bothers some people because you're never quite sure what he wants to communicate: the rapture in the lyric or the profligate skill of his musical palette. Kudos to Fleming for almost making it seem irrelevant.