Tenor Jonas Kaufmann is determined not to let himself be pigeonholed, as is evident in the diversity of his repertoire, which not only spans musical eras, but stretches into roles associated with a variety of vocal types, from Mozart to Massenet, Puccini, and Wagner. Usually classified as a spinto, Kaufmann's tenor has a sometimes surprisingly baritonal quality that would seem to make him an ideal candidate for Wagner, to whom half of this disc of German operatic arias is devoted. The results are not entirely consistent, ...
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Tenor Jonas Kaufmann is determined not to let himself be pigeonholed, as is evident in the diversity of his repertoire, which not only spans musical eras, but stretches into roles associated with a variety of vocal types, from Mozart to Massenet, Puccini, and Wagner. Usually classified as a spinto, Kaufmann's tenor has a sometimes surprisingly baritonal quality that would seem to make him an ideal candidate for Wagner, to whom half of this disc of German operatic arias is devoted. The results are not entirely consistent, but Kaufmann generally fulfills the expectation that he may develop into a first-rate heldentenor. He is most successful in a wonderfully lyrical "Winterstürme," and in two extended excerpts from Parsifal, where he cuts loose with thrilling power. In the program notes, he writes that he considers Lohengrin Wagner's most Italianate role and tries to bring to it a typically bel canto lyricism. In the quieter passages, particularly in "Mein liebe Schwan!," though, his voice tends to sound...
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Add this copy of Jonas Kaufmann: Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven & Wagner to cart. $4.59, good condition, Sold by Goodwill of Orange County rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Ana, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Decca.
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Good. This item has very light surface scratches that do not affect the use of the disc/s. This is a USED item. Case and cover may or may not have wear or damage. All items unless otherwise noted will include disc, case, and artwork. Codes have been used. Other contents such as booklets may vary, please inquire for details. All items ship Monday-Friday within 2-3 business days.
Add this copy of Jonas Kaufmann: Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven & Wagner to cart. $4.59, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill of Orange County rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Ana, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Decca.
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Fair. This item has very light surface scratches that do not affect the use of the disc/s. This is a USED item. Case and cover may or may not have wear or damage. All items unless otherwise noted will include disc, case, and artwork. Codes have been used. Other contents such as booklets may vary, please inquire for details. All items ship Monday-Friday within 2-3 business days.
Add this copy of Jonas Kaufmann: Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven & Wagner to cart. $4.99, fair condition, Sold by Service First Media rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Taylorsville, KY, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Decca.
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Fair. Ex-Library rental. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality. Includes disc(s), case, and artwork. May be missing booklet. Disc(s), case, and artwork may contain library/security stickers and ink writing. ARTWORK IS UNORIGINAL AND PRINTED BY LIBRARY. Case and artwork may show some wear. Case may not be an original jewel case. All disc(s) are authentic.
Add this copy of Jonas Kaufmann: Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven & Wagner to cart. $11.78, like new condition, Sold by Streetlight_Records rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Cruz, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Decca.
Whether you already know you love German opera, or think you might want to explore it more, or think that it's all rather Wagnerian and terrifying, I would recommend this CD. In my opinion, Kaufmann is at his vocally exciting and musically intelligent best here. As the album's original title, "Sehnsucht," indicates, it is focused around desire... and the selections explore extraordinarily diverse manifestations of this. The repertoire itself is far from monotonous: from Mozart to Wagner passing by Beethoven and Schubert on the way, it's a great showcase for different dramatic moods, and different dramatic colors in Kaufmann's voice.
The Mozart selections, from "Magic Flute," show Kaufmann as a Tamino both more cerebral and more virile than one is accustomed to hearing. "Dies Bildnis" is irresistibly sincere-sounding, and it's a treat to hear the rarely-excerpted dialog ("Die Weisheitslehre...", with Michael Volle. The Schubert arias, from "Fierrabras" and "Alfonso und Estrella," are intense Romantic mood studies which Kaufmann tackles with compelling commitment. Florestan's aria from LvB's "Fidelio" is here given with gripping emotional directness as well as unusual subtlety, from the opening chords of the second act (here as elsewhere, Claudio Abbado and the orchestra create marvelous, shimmering sound) to the last delirious cry for the freedom that he can no longer imagine on earth. Siegmund's "Winterstuerme" could have more erotic urgency, but is perhaps the aria on the disc which best displays the pure beauty of Kaufmann's voice.
The bookends of the CD are Lohengrin and Parsifal: "In Fernem Land" and "Mein lieber Schwan," and "Amfortas! die Wunde!" and "Nur eine Waffe taugt." Kaufmann's Gralserzaehlung literally brought me to my knees in awe, and his farewell to his Elsa brought tears to my eyes. Both the pain of Parsifal's journey towards full humanity, and the sublime use he makes of his strength, are brilliantly realized. Margarete Joswig is a silvery, seductive Kundry, and here again, Abbado does miracles with the orchestra. Throughout, a brilliant collaborative effort.
