This recital reveals Leontyne Price as a natural interpreter of both Lieder and melodies - her refusal to indulge herself through slow speeds and self-regarding gestures consistently takes her to the heart of the matter.
This disc provides a treasurable pendant to RCA's comprehensive reissue of Price's opera recitals (12/92). The singer's debut recording, made in the Town Hall, New York in January 1959, reveals her as a natural interpreter of both Lieder and melodies so much so that one must regret that she didn't devote more time to pursuing a career in this field. Where she scores so easily over many of her American successors is in her refusal to indulge herself through slow speeds and self-regarding gestures: sheRead more sings the songs for what they are and with scrupulous attention to text and (mostly) dynamics, no more, no less, and thereby usually goes to the heart of the matter. Nowhere is that truer than in her Faure: each of the five performances here is a delight, not only for the full tone, though lighter than it was to become, but also for the sensuously moulded line and the patent sincerity of the readings, entirely free of artifice. Perhaps Au cimetiere is the finest of the set, with the resignation sadly expressed and the single climax achieved—of course—with a thrilling ease. Price's Poulenc is equally welcome with special praise for ''Tu vois le feu du soir'' (the second of the Miroirs brulants). Few non-French singers have in my experience come so close to the soul of this plangent piece. Not all the French vowels are correctly sounded but for once that seems hardly to matter.
Similarly, her German accent sometimes slips but that can be overlooked when, for instance, the mood of Strauss's Allerseelen is so unerringly caught, the phrasing expansive yet never cloying. That makes a somewhat cool account of Freund-liche Vision a surprising disappointment made up for by the uninhibited passion and generous tone accorded Wolf's Lebe wohl, which usually has to manage with less gorgeous voices. The same goes for Geh', Geliebter, geh' jetz. It's no exaggeration to say that this matches the eagerness and generosity of Rethberg's famous version in HMV's old Hugo Wolf Society recording (2/35—nla). Here, too, David Garvey confirms earlier impressions that he is worthy partner for his distinguished singer.
The recording is a shade confined but honest. The disc is enhanced by Irving Kolodin's perceptive notes and the inclusion of texts and translations. The short measure is hardly of consequence when the content is so desirable. The many addicts of Price's voice will surely want this addition to her British discography, but so will many who love this repertory.
Clair de lune, Op. 46 no 2by Gabriel Fauré Performer:
Leontyne Price (Soprano),
David Garvey (Piano)
Period: Romantic Written: 1887; France Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 2 Minutes 49 Secs. Language: French
2.
Ce doux petit visageby Francis Poulenc Performer:
Leontyne Price (Soprano),
David Garvey (Piano)
Period: 20th Century Written: 1939; France Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 1 Minutes 43 Secs. Language: French
3.
Lieder (8), Op. 10: no 8, Allerseelenby Richard Strauss Performer:
Leontyne Price (Soprano),
David Garvey (Piano)
Period: Romantic Written: 1885; Germany Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 2 Minutes 58 Secs. Language: German
4.
Mörike Lieder: no 17, Der Gärtnerby Hugo Wolf Performer:
David Garvey (Piano),
Leontyne Price (Soprano)
Period: Romantic Written: 1888; Vienna, Austria Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 1 Minutes 23 Secs. Language: German
5.
Notre amour, Op. 23 no 2by Gabriel Fauré Performer:
Leontyne Price (Soprano),
David Garvey (Piano)
Period: Romantic Written: circa 1879; France Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 1 Minutes 57 Secs. Language: French
6.
Au cimetičre, Op. 51 no 2by Gabriel Fauré Performer:
Leontyne Price (Soprano),
David Garvey (Piano)
Period: Romantic Written: 1888; France Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 4 Minutes 30 Secs. Language: French
7.
Mélodies (5), Op. 58 "de Venise": no 1, Mandolineby Gabriel Fauré Performer:
David Garvey (Piano),
Leontyne Price (Soprano)
Period: Romantic Written: 1891; France Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 1 Minutes 48 Secs. Language: French
8.
Miroirs brűlants: no 2, Je nommerai ton frontby Francis Poulenc Performer:
David Garvey (Piano),
Leontyne Price (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century Written: 1939; France Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 1 Minutes 13 Secs. Language: French
9.
Miroirs brűlants: no 1, Tu vois le feu du soirby Francis Poulenc Performer:
David Garvey (Piano),
Leontyne Price (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century Written: 1938; France Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 3 Minutes 59 Secs. Language: French
10.
Lieder (3), Op. 29: no 2, Schlagende Herzenby Richard Strauss Performer:
David Garvey (Piano),
Leontyne Price (Soprano)
Period: Romantic Written: 1895; Germany Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 2 Minutes 11 Secs. Language: German
11.
Lieder (5), Op. 48: no 1, Freundliche Visionby Richard Strauss Performer:
Leontyne Price (Soprano),
David Garvey (Piano)
Period: Romantic Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 2 Minutes 36 Secs. Language: German
Mörike Lieder: no 36, Lebe wohlby Hugo Wolf Performer:
David Garvey (Piano),
Leontyne Price (Soprano)
Period: Romantic Written: 1888; Vienna, Austria Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 2 Minutes 16 Secs. Language: German
14.
Spanisches Liederbuch: no 44, Geh', Geliebter, geh' jetztby Hugo Wolf Performer:
David Garvey (Piano),
Leontyne Price (Soprano)
Period: Romantic Written: 1890; Vienna, Austria Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 3 Minutes 38 Secs. Language: German
15.
Alte Weisen (6): no 4, Wand' ich in dem Morgentauby Hugo Wolf Performer:
Leontyne Price (Soprano),
David Garvey (Piano)
Period: Romantic Written: 1890; Vienna, Austria Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 1 Minutes 22 Secs. Language: German
16.
Au bord de l'eau, Op. 8 no 1by Gabriel Fauré Performer:
Leontyne Price (Soprano),
David Garvey (Piano)
Period: Romantic Written: 1875; France Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 1 Minutes 47 Secs. Language: French
17.
Main dominée par le coeurby Francis Poulenc Performer:
David Garvey (Piano),
Leontyne Price (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century Written: 1947; France Date of Recording: 01/1959 Venue: Town Hall, New York City Length: 1 Minutes 14 Secs. Language: French