Episode 87. Christa Ludwig I (In Memoriam)
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The world of singing sustained an enormous loss a week ago: the death of the great German singer Christa Ludwig on April 24 at the age of 93. A singer whose repertoire centered around the great German composers but who also sang Verdi and French repertoire with stunning results; a mezzo-soprano who was unparalleled in Wagner, Mahler, and Brahms, but who also sang the great soprano heroines of Richard Strauss; a Lieder singer of great perception and textual acuity whose supple technique nonetheless was centered on legato singing: the greatness of this artist simply cannot be overestimated. In this, the first of several episodes that, over the next few months, I will devote to one of my favorite singers, I focus on the key composers (Richard Strauss, Gustav Mahler, and Richard Wagner) and conductors (Karl Böhm, Herbert von Karajan, and Leonard Bernstein) with whom she was most closely associated, while also examining some roles that might surprise you: Cenerentola, Amneris and Marie in Wozzeck. In this, the first of several episodes that, over the next few months, I will devote to one of my favorite singers, I focus on the key composers (Richard Strauss, Gustav Mahler, and Richard Wagner) and conductors (Karl Böhm, Herbert von Karajan, and Leonard Bernstein) with whom she was most closely associated, while also examining some roles that might surprise you: Cenerentola, Amneris and Marie in Wozzeck. Vocal guest stars include Gloria Davy, Victoria de los Ángeles, Reri Grist, Gundula Janowitz, Gwyneth Jones, and Ludwig’s one-time husband Walter Berry. A bonus Patreon episode published concurrently with this one explores Ludwig’s mastery in the field of Lieder.
Countermelody is a podcast devoted to the glory and the power of the human voice raised in song. Singer and vocal aficionado Daniel Gundlach explores great singers of the past and present focusing in particular on those who are less well-remembered today than they should be. Daniel’s lifetime in music as a professional countertenor, pianist, vocal coach, voice teacher, and journalist yields an exciting array of anecdotes, impressions, and “inside stories.” Occasional guests from the “business” (singers, conductors, composers, coaches, and teachers) lend their distinctive insights. At Countermelody’s core is the interaction between singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. At Countermelody’s core is the interaction between singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. Please visit the Countermelody website (www.countermelodypodcast.com) for additional content including artist photos and episode setlists. And please head to my Patreon page at www.patreon.com/countermelody to pledge your monthly support at whatever level you can afford. Bonus episodes available only to Patreon supporters are currently available.
RECORDINGS HEARD IN THIS EPISODE
Franz Schubert, Karl Lappe; Im Abendrot, D.799. Christa Ludwig, Jonathan Alder [live Zürich 10 November 1980]
Johann Sebastian Bach: Schlafe, mein Liebster (Weihnachts-Oratorium). Christa Ludwig, Karl Richter, Münchener Bach-Orchester [1965]
Gioacchino Rossini, Jacopo Ferretti: Non più mesta [sung in German] (La Cenerentola). Christa Ludwig, Waldemar Kmentt, Walter Berry, Karl Dönch, Emmy Loose, Dagmar Hermann, Ludwig Welter, Alberto Erede, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper [live Wien 03.09.62]
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Lorenzo da Ponte: Ah, guarda, sorella! (Così fan tutte). Christa Ludwig, Gundula Janowitz, Karl Böhm, Wiener Philharmoniker [soundtrack to 1970 film]
Richard Wagner: Elsa!… Wer ruft? (Lohengrin). Christa Ludwig, Victoria de los Angeles, Lovro von Matačić, Orquestra del Teatro Colón [live Buenos Aires 1964]
Giuseppe Verdi, Antonio Ghislanzoni: Ah, vieni… Fu la sorte dell’armi (Aida) [sung in German]. Christa Ludwig, Gloria Davy, Karl Böhm, Orchester und Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin [live Berlin 1961]
Alban Berg, Georg Büchner: Und ist kein Betrug in seinem Munde [Bible Scene] (Wozzeck). Christa Ludwig, Leopold Ludwig, Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper [live Wien 19 May 1963]
Ludwig Van Beethoven, Joseph von Sonnleithner, revised Stephan von Breuning, Georg Friedrich Treitschke: Abscheulicher!… Komm, Hoffnung (Fidelio). Christa Ludwig, Karl Böhm, Wiener Philharmoniker [live Salzburg 12 August 1968]
Richard Strauss, Hugo von Hoffmannsthal: Barak, mein Mann… Mir anvertraut (Die Frau ohne Schatten). Christa Ludwig, Walter Berry, Herbert von Karajan [1964], Karl Böhm [1978], Wiener Philharmoniker [Barak, mein Mann live from Wien 11 June 1964]; [Mir anvertraut live from Salzburg 09 November 1974]
Richard Strauss, Hugo von Hoffmannsthal: Marie Theres’… Hab mir’s gelobt (Der Rosenkavalier). Christa Ludwig, Gwyneth Jones, Reri Grist, Leonard Bernstein, Wiener Philharmoniker [live Wien 13 April 1968]
Gustav Mahler: Der Einsame im Herbst (Das Lied von der Erde). Christa Ludwig; Herbert von Karajan, Berliner Philharmoniker [live Berlin 15 December 1970]
Johannes Brahms, August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben: Von ewiger Liebe, Op. 43/1. Christa Ludwig, Leonard Bernstein [live Tel Aviv 02 May 1972]
Richard Strauss, John Henry Mackay: Morgen!, Op. 27/1. Christa Ludwig, Charles Spencer [live Salzburg 9 August 1993]
