RECORDS: TWO SOPRANOS

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31029, 7 April 1966, Page 10

RECORDS: TWO SOPRANOS

Two seldom-heard sopranos, Regine Crespin and i and Galina Vishnevskaya, one French and one Russian, have made interesting recordings away from the often-voiced reper tory. Crespin’s previous discs have been operatic. On Decca stereo SXLM.6OBI (42s 6d) she sings two song cycles, Berlioz’s “Les Nuits d’Ete” and Ravel’s “Scheherezade,” with Ernest Ansermet conducting the Suisse Romande Orchestra It is beautiful, gently evocative singing. The tempos are broad and the lines are sung in a delicate, almost detached manner that adds to their sensuality and suits especially the Gautier verses. In “Spectre de la rose” her cool, pastel shading fits the haunting quality of the poet’s vision. The accompaniment has a similar restraint and atmospheric quality. The sleeves were imported, but alas, texts and translations were left behind. Vishnevskaya, a singer more often heard of than heard, sings Russian operatic arias on MK stereo C. 685 (42s 6d). Two are by Rimsky-Korsakov and the other seven by Tchaikovsky. She is a fine singer, a soprano in the majestic tradition with attractive tones as well as an intensity and assurance that sustains the attention even where the high notes test more than they should. SWEET AND SAD The Tchaikovsky arias, lyrical and melodic, combining a sweetness and a sadness, and dramatic in a much gentler way than his symphonies and ballets, are particularly enjoyable and well worth discovering. The stereo recording is excellent

though again texts would have improved presentations. Of Tchaikovsky's operas “Eugene Onegin” and “The Queen of Spades” are performed most frequently in the West, but the only recordings have been Russian veterans that should have been pensioned off long ago. Highlights from both operas are offered on World stereo STZ.74B (28s 6d)) from the Bavarian State Opera. There is no need for any hesitation on account of it being in German instead of Russian for the singers are excellent including Fritz Wunderlich, Hermann Prey and Melitta Muszely—and the recording recent, even with texts and translations. Th Sibelius centenary seems to have produced more in the way of re-assessment than new recordings of his works. Sibelius’s Fourth Symphony is available on MK mono D. 4794 (42s 6d), with Tauno Hannikainen conducting the U.S.S.R. State Sym- • phony. This conductor’s affin-

ity for this composer should be well known, but it is a pity this issue is the fourth good monaural version available here instead of the first stereo. Although the idea of condensed Shakespeare is debatable, the records turn out to be fine. “All’s Well That Ends Weil” has been stuck with the label of an “unpleasant" comedy and it is hard to find someone with a good word for its main characters, yet stripped to one hour on World stereo SLS.I2 (355). this “Decameron” tale of how a country girl wins royal favour, claims an unwilling noble for husband and then plots to make him accept her is most entertaining for Shakespeare has whimsically turned the sexual tables to show what would happen if women dealt with men as men dealt with women. This production regards it all as something of a fairy tale so that Vanessa Redgrave’s Helena, a , bit more

modest and gentle than would be expected from such a persistent schemer, is entirely appropriate. The disc does well and there is a fine scene when the glib Paroles is tricked into revealing military secrets, though for the low comedy you will have to turn for the complete play. “The Winter’s Tale” on World stereo SLS.IO (355) describes the consequences of a king's jealous suspicions about his wife and a friend through a nightmarish winter. Balancing this is the idyllic spring of years later and finally a summer of reconciliation. The disc is best in the powerful first part where there are some satisfying characterisations 'and where the normality of Eric Portman’s Leontes makes his ills and his actions more tragic. The build-up given the fair Perdita is let down by her American accent, the first such intrusion in the series.

The World Record Club has announced that its basic price will go both up and down. Starting with this month’s new issues, discs previously 28s 6d will cost 29s 6d. but if ordered six weeks in advance of specified dates they will cost only 27s 6d This column will list the higher price as discs are reviewed after issue, too late for the discount. Copies of libretti for “Amah! and the Night Visitors" which were not ready for release with the RCA Victor recording can now be obtained through record dealers.