RENEE FLEMING

Four Last Songs - Strauss Songs and Arias

 

Vier letzte Lieder

1 I Frühling 3.21

2 II September 4.56

3 III Beim Schlafengehen 5.45

4 IV Im Abendrot 7.56

Ariadne auf Naxos

5 Ach! Wo war ich? Tot? … 2.26

6 Ein Schönes war: hieß Theseus–Ariadne … 6.34

7 Es gibt ein Reich 6.02

8 Verführung, op.33 no.1 7.15

9 Freundliche Vision, op.48 no.1 2.23

10 Winterweihe, op.48 no.4 3.05

11 Zueignung, op.10 no.1 1.48

Die ägyptische Helena

12 Zweite Brautnacht! 4.45

 

Renée Fleming - soprano

Münchner Philharmoniker / Christian Thielemann

 

The dream team: Renee Fleming and Christian Thielemann, today's foremost interpreters of Richard Strauss, in a brand new recording of the Four Last Songs, plus other arias and songs by R. Strauss.

 

Renee Fleming, the world's leading lyric soprano, records the exquisitely beautiful Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss in a brand new recording. Fleming recorded these songs once before, ten years ago before she had ever sung them live. Since then, these enduringly popular showcases for the soprano voice have become signature pieces for Fleming and a regular and much-loved part of her concert repertoire. With years of experience of live performances behind her, Fleming is ready now to revisit these works, bringing more insight, fresh interpretations and greater maturity.

 

She is conducted by Christian Thielemann, a renowned interpreter of Strauss. The disc also includes other Strauss scenes from his operas Ariadne auf Naxos and Die Agyptische Helena as well as Richard Strauss's songs Freundliche Vision, Verfuehrung, Winterweihe and Zueignung, several of which Fleming has sung live to critical acclaim.

 

With her silken tones, stunning technique, vocal intelligence and regal presence, Fleming remains a class apart...the definitive Strauss interpreter of our time

The Chicago Sun-Times

 

Decca 4780647