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Wozzeck
I was thrilled to discover a Wozzeck featuring Sir Geraint Evans and Marilyn Horne, and even more delighted to find that this recording is in English—a particular passion of mine, as regular visitors to my site will know. I'm happy to report that this recording not only lives up to its immense promise but also offers a transformative experience. For English speakers who think they know this opera well, it may completely change the way you hear it.
The performers are exceptional actors with impeccable diction, and there are moments when it feels more like a play with music than an opera (which, of course, aligns with the intent of Sprechstimme). Horne is superb as Marie, bringing an earthy realism that suits the role perfectly. Sir Geraint Evans delivers one of the most refined Wozzecks I've encountered, making his moments of violence all the more heartbreaking in their desperation. The supporting cast is equally strong, with Otakar Kraus particularly standing out as the Doctor.
Under Sir John Pritchard's baton, Berg's masterpiece comes alive with both savage intensity and haunting beauty.
Track List
1. Act I, Scene 1 - Suite
2. Act I, Scene 1 - Suite
3. Act I, Scene 2 - Rhapsody and Hunting Song
4. Act I, Scene 3 - March and Lullaby
5. Act I, Scene 3 - March and Lullaby
6. Act I, Scene 3 - March and Lullaby
7. Act I, Scene 4 - Passacaglia
8. Act I, Scene 4 - Passacaglia
9. Act I, Scene 5 - Rondo
10. Act II, Scene 1 - Sonata-Allegro
11. Act II, Scene 1 - Sonata-Allegro
2. Act I, Scene 1 - Suite
3. Act I, Scene 2 - Rhapsody and Hunting Song
4. Act I, Scene 3 - March and Lullaby
5. Act I, Scene 3 - March and Lullaby
6. Act I, Scene 3 - March and Lullaby
7. Act I, Scene 4 - Passacaglia
8. Act I, Scene 4 - Passacaglia
9. Act I, Scene 5 - Rondo
10. Act II, Scene 1 - Sonata-Allegro
11. Act II, Scene 1 - Sonata-Allegro
12. Act II, Scene 2 - Fantasia and Fugue on 3 Themes
13. Act II, Scene 2 - Fantasia and Fugue on 3 Themes
14. Act II, Scene 3 - Largo
15. Act II, Scene 4 - Scherzo
16. Act II, Scene 4 - Scherzo
17. Act II, Scene 5 - Rondo
18. Act III, Scene 1 - Invention on a Theme
19. Act III, Scene 2 - Invention on a Single Note (B)
20. Act III, Scene 3 - Invention on a Rhythm
21. Act III, Scene 4 - Invention on a 6-Note Chord
22. Act III, Scene 4 - Invention on a 6-Note Chord
23. Act III, Interlude - Invention on a Key (D minor)
24. Act III, Scene 5 - Invention on an Eighth-Note moto perpetuo, quasi toccata
13. Act II, Scene 2 - Fantasia and Fugue on 3 Themes
14. Act II, Scene 3 - Largo
15. Act II, Scene 4 - Scherzo
16. Act II, Scene 4 - Scherzo
17. Act II, Scene 5 - Rondo
18. Act III, Scene 1 - Invention on a Theme
19. Act III, Scene 2 - Invention on a Single Note (B)
20. Act III, Scene 3 - Invention on a Rhythm
21. Act III, Scene 4 - Invention on a 6-Note Chord
22. Act III, Scene 4 - Invention on a 6-Note Chord
23. Act III, Interlude - Invention on a Key (D minor)
24. Act III, Scene 5 - Invention on an Eighth-Note moto perpetuo, quasi toccata
Customer Reviews
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5.0
Based on 4 reviews
✓ Top Reviewer
✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Great Performance, Excellent Sound!
Other reviewers here have already extolled the virtues of this performance and I thoroughly agree with them. Pritchard leads a sizzling, highly musical performance of Berg's masterpiece. Horne was making her Covent Garden debut in a role that is a far cry from the bel canto repertoire she specialized in later on in her career - yet her singing is so confident and beautiful she makes Marie's music sound like bel canto. She has the wide range required for the role (from C # or so down to low F) and her diction is also excellent. Evans sounds very comfortable singing this role in English or German. He makes Wozzeck a real person, not a screaming maniac. Kenneth MacDonald actually sings the Captain's crazy vocal lines as does Otokar Kraus as the Doctor. In fact, the entire cast is superb, all enunciating clearly. The translation is a singable one although it smooths out some of the seedier aspects of the original German. The sound, a few minor pops from the master tape aside, is excellent.All Wozzeck lovers or fans of the singers should have this.
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✓ Verified Buyer
United Kingdom
✓ Verified Buyer
Joseph Brand
A stunning performance of this very powerful opera in an amazingly good recording from 1964. This was Marilyn Horne’s Covent Garden debut, so different from the repertory we normally associate with her. Geraint Evans had a phenomenal repertoire and was pretty marvellous in almost everything he did. This was my first Wozzeck and really lives up to my memory of it. The supporting cast are all excellent as is Pritchard’s conducting.
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