Track Listing

1. Das Rosenband, Op.36/1
2. Ich Wollt Ein Strausslein Binden, Op.68/2
3. Sausle, Liebe Myrte, Op.68/3
4. Als Mir Dein Lied Erklang, Op.68/4
5. Befreit, Op.39/4
6. Ruhe, Meine Seele!, Op.27/1
7. Wiegenlied, Op.41/1
8. Meinem Kinde, Op.37/3
9. Zueignung, Op.10/1
10. Morgen!, Op.27/4
11. Die Heiligen Drei Konige Aus Morgenland, Op.56/6
12. Vier Letzte Lieder, Op.Posth.: Fruhling
13. Vier Letzte Lieder, Op.Posth.: September
14. Vier Letzte Lieder, Op.Posth.: Beim Schlafengehen
15. Vier Letzte Lieder, Op.Posth.: Im Abendrot

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33130 in Music
• Released on: 2003-09-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .28 pounds
• Running time: 64 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Strauss songs with orchestra, especially his final masterpiece, the Four Last Songs, have fared well in recordings, with compelling versions by the likes of Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, Lisa Della Casa, Jessye Norman, Gundula Janowitz and others of their calibre. But the Finnish soprano Soile Isokoski yields nothing to her distinguished predecessors.

For some sopranos, Strauss's soaring melodies invite lingering tempos and arch interpretations that dwell on individual words and syllables, breaking the composer's long lines. Not here: Isokoski's sunlit voice and stunning legato illuminate music and text with restrained feeling. The Four Last Songs are taken at a perfect tempo, slow enough to let their message sink in, fast enough to let the music flow unimpeded. It's a lesson in the artfulness of simplicity, where less tinkering with the music equals more profundity and pleasure.

The 11 other songs on the disc are as good, and while the quality of songs and singing is high throughout, it's hard to rid the memory of Isokoski's renditions of "Wiegenlied" and "Morgen" once you hear them. But the same may be said of "Die heiligen drei Könige aus Morgenland" or "Befriet", among others. This is a disc to treasure. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews

A stunningly beautiful offering from a bright rising star.
My father spent his latter years saying of (then) new interpretations of music he loved, "it's nowhere near as good as (in his case)Elisabeth Schumann etc.). As I suppose most of us do, I had turned into my father! For the last twenty years no-one, except possibly Lisa della Casa, came anywhere close to Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's recording of the wonderful Four last Songs. Quite simply, this comes very, very close; in fact the last two are, in my opinion, better. The Orchestral playing is full of richness and sensitivity too. The other 11 tracks range from the very pretty to the heart-rendingly beautiful (tracks 9 and 10 particularly.)
I once read a review on this site describing the voice of Maria Cristina Kiehr as being like seeing the sun reflected through a glass of cool Chardonnay! Well, if that's not over the top, I would carry on the analogy by saying, in this case, think "griottes". The orchestral playing is as rich as the best dark chocolate,the music has all the warmth of Cherry Brandy, but inside, instead of a cherry, we have a radiant shining ruby in Isokoski's voice. Thank you Ondine, this CD is a wonder!

Music that expresses the inexpressable
For me, it is difficult to find opera singers who sing, as opposed to sounding like they are gargling with a hot potato. Thankfully, Soile Isokoski is a woman who not only sings, but whose heart manages to express the inexpressible.

She has exquisite delicacy, softness and tenderness when called for (listen to her unforgetable rendition of Morgen!) and an enormous range of intensity that can leave you emotionally exhausted (for example listen to Befreit). Yet, she never loses her restraint, which leaves one with the feeling that she is always singing to you, rather than warbling to you. Her voice is everything I always wanted, but never really found. Consequently, for me this CD is not easy listening: It is a powerful spiritual experience that resonates with that inner ache and longing for the divine, and as such demands that one emotionally fully engage to it.

One thing I dislike about so called legendary performances of the Four Last Songs is the quality of the music. To my ears, performances recorded before the 1980's generally sound like the music is being played in the neighbours living room - boxy and lacking in dynamic range. It is therefore wonderful to hear the music in this CD so clear, present and beautifully recorded.

For anyone who is thinking about discovering the songs of R. Strauss for the first time, this is the CD that will not leave you disappointed. The more you listen to it, the more you discover, and the more it moves you and makes you weep. R.Strauss was the last great romantic, and here you discover what that can really mean. It seems that Soile is a rising star not because she shows a lot cleavage on the front cover, but because her voice touches your soul, and for this she deserves our gratitude.

Simply Stunning
I first came across Soile Isokoski in a magnificent recording of Mozart's "Don Giovanni" when she sang the role of Donna Elvira (Simon Keenlyside was the fabulous eponymous character). I was staggered by her fantastic technique and beautiful quality of sound. It is often the case that great singers of Mozart (and she is definitely that) are often well suited to the works of Richard Strauss and Miss Isokoski is no exception.

For me, her interpretation of the Four Last Songs is absolutely miraculous. She comes close to Lucia Popp (the greatest exponent, in my opinion) for soul-searching intensity and an utter understanding of the songs.

As for the rest of the works on this CD, "Befreit" is one which I had never encountered before and I was utterly riveted by it. Even now, after hundreds of times of listening to it, it always reduces me to tears. "Morgen", of course, is one of Strauss's most famous songs and she sings it absolutely beautifully.

The orchestra is magnificent and the conducting exemplary. I would urge any lover of Strauss's music (and, indeed, anyone who would like to get to know it) to buy this CD - satisfaction guaranteed.