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Friday, December 11, 2009

Ben Heppner sings Wagner

Ben Heppner sings Wagner

CD - DDD - 71'01

Deutsche Grammophon 2006

Performer: Ben Heppner, Burkhard Ulrich
Conductor: Peter Schneider
Orchestra/Ensemble: Dresden Staatskapelle

"I doubt whether referring to Ben Heppner as today's finest Heldentenor would raise any objections; some might argumentatively call him today's only Heldentenor. He seems to have everything--power, stamina, a bright, truly tenorial timbre (in contrast, say, with Melchior's or Vinay's more baritonal sound)--and he has grown up vocally at an intelligent pace, through Walther and Lohengrin into Tristan, while mixing in some Italian roles to keep the voice supple. Now on this recital he tackles Siegfried and Siegmund, roles he has not sung on stage, and judging from what we hear, he's more than ready for them and Wagnerians should be waiting in line...
From Götterdämmerung we get only Siegfried's last five minutes of singing--right before his death; but touching and stirring they are. "Siegfried's Rhine Journey" and "Funeral Music" are played before and after, respectively, and it is here that conductor Peter Schneider makes the finest impression. He's never less than good, but he lacks total identification in the Walküre excerpts. Overall, the Dresden Staatskapelle plays with luster and rhythmic thrust. This is a stunning CD, sure to delight and tease Wagnerians. Highest recommendation. [9/7/2006]
--Robert Levine, ClassicsToday.com"

01. Die Walküre / Erster Aufzug - Ein Schwert verhieß mir der Vater
02. Die Walküre / Erster Aufzug - Winterstürme wichen dem Wonnemond
03. Die Walküre / Erster Aufzug - Siegmund heiß ich und Siegmund bin ich
04. Siegfried / Erster Aufzug - Notung! Notung! Neidliches Schwert!
05. Siegfried / Erster Aufzug - "Hoho! Hoho! Hohei! Schmiede, mein Hammer, ein hartes Schwert! Hoho! Hahei! Hoho! Hahei! Einst färbte Blut dein falbes Blau" B
06. Siegfried / Zweiter Aufzug - Daß der mein Vater nicht ist
07. Siegfried / Zweiter Aufzug - Noch einmal, liebes Vöglein
08. Siegfried / Dritter Aufzug - Selige Öde auf wonniger Höh'!
09. Götterdämmerung / Prologue - Siegfrieds Rheinfahrt
10. Götterdämmerung / Dritter Aufzug - Brünnhilde, heilige Braut!
11. Götterdämmerung / Dritter Aufzug - Trauermarsch

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