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To my favorite Tenor
April 24, 2009 at 5:37 AM
Recently, I brought up Fritz Wunderlich in an orchestra rehearsal and was deeply saddened to find that only one other violinist in my section had even heard of him (she, however, apparently knew quite a bit about him). Of course, there are some names that I wouldn't really expect many people to know (like Schwarzkopf, or Janowitz as much as I enjoy their singing or Mengelberg who even Karajan admired)...I mean, in the recorded history of music, there have been so many great performers that nobody could possibly even have heard of them all, let alone know their characteristics intimately, but Wunderlich was....such a super-star (if that's appropriate) and hasn't been dead all that long.
Besides, a voice like his should never be forgotten, I just had to share it with everyone.
Edit:
Yes, I'm aware that Schwarzkopf and Janowitz are essentially contemporary, but Wunderlich would be too if he hadn't fallen down some stairs....
Posted on April 25, 2009 at 3:23 AM
First Brivati-Sensei and now you spoiling our ears for modern performance. Oh well try this while you're at it. Listen all the way to the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNG326VLwUo
Posted on April 26, 2009 at 12:25 AM
Ah, I hope not! There are many singers I enjoy today; Diana Damrau, Barbara Bonney, and Ann Sofie von Otter are some of my favorites...
And that recording is very nice. It's true you don't hear singing like that anymore, not just talking about musicianship, but it seems like the type of voice that's popular today is different as well.
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