"Debussy vs. Debussy - Complete Works By Warner Classics And Deutsche Grammophon Compared"

[g***@gmail.com]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2018/03/25/review-debussy-vs-debussy-complete-works-by-warner-and-deutsche-grammophon-compared/#7b2bbac45e60

[m***@gmail.com]

Post by g***@gmail.com
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2018/03/25/review-debussy-vs-debussy-complete-works-by-warner-and-deutsche-grammophon-compared/#7b2bbac45e60

The fact that you get texts and translations for all of the vocal works is a big plus for me for DG

[drh8h]

Post by g***@gmail.com
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2018/03/25/review-debussy-vs-debussy-complete-works-by-warner-and-deutsche-grammophon-compared/#7b2bbac45e60

I question this critic's judgement:

"Not many singers from that long ago still hold up to today’s standards once we remove the nostalgia-factor." That about Souzay. Why, because he had a "voice"? A personality? I will admit he was in decline even in the 60s, but this is an awfully sweeping statement. Even discounting Debussy's music, let's see who were his contemporaries: Nilsson, Tebaldi, Callas, Bergonzi, Corelli, Price, Crespin, Di Stefano, Siepi, Merrill, Vickers, and a couple dozen others...yeah, nothing much there!

Isn't more like "hold down"?

DH

[j***@gmail.com]

Post by drh8h

Post by g***@gmail.com
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2018/03/25/review-debussy-vs-debussy-complete-works-by-warner-and-deutsche-grammophon-compared/#7b2bbac45e60

"Not many singers from that long ago still hold up to today’s standards once we remove the nostalgia-factor." That about Souzay. Why, because he had a "voice"? A personality? I will admit he was in decline even in the 60s, but this is an awfully sweeping statement. Even discounting Debussy's music, let's see who were his contemporaries: Nilsson, Tebaldi, Callas, Bergonzi, Corelli, Price, Crespin, Di Stefano, Siepi, Merrill, Vickers, and a couple dozen others...yeah, nothing much there!
Isn't more like "hold down"?
DH

You make a good point, of course... but you will also notice that the singers you mention are by and large famous for their work in opera.

In opera, our idea of great singing has changed less, I think, than in Lied & Melodie. I was imprecise in not pointing out that my (sweeping, certainly) statement was aimed at the latter category.

jfl

[Daniel Pyle]

Post by drh8h
"Not many singers from that long ago still hold up to today’s standards once we remove the nostalgia-factor." That about Souzay. Why, because he had a "voice"? A personality? I will admit he was in decline even in the 60s, but this is an awfully sweeping statement. Even discounting Debussy's music, let's see who were his contemporaries: Nilsson, Tebaldi, Callas, Bergonzi, Corelli, Price, Crespin, Di Stefano, Siepi, Merrill, Vickers, and a couple dozen others...yeah, nothing much there!
Isn't more like "hold down"?
DH

I think you misunderstand what this critic has written. The sentences which follow -- "But Souzay is everything one could possibly want in a voice for mélodies; it’s like bathing in dark brown velvet. His appearances are glorious little moments..." -- surely is high praise, yes?

Daniel