Christa Ludwig Tribute Box from Warner, 11 CDs

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Warner Classics, 56902 [0 189285 690205], 11 CDs
The Complete Recitals on Warner Classics (EMI)

Following had on the heels of DGG's Christa Ludwig Edition 479 807 (12 CDs) in honor of the mezzo-soprano's 90th birthday comes Warner Classics contribution in an all original jacket collection.

According to the box's blurb: "Over a performing career spanning half a century, Christa Ludwig, born in 1928, consistently proved her greatness. 'A source of as deep a satisfaction and fulfilment as the greatest of my operatic roles' is how she described the place of song in her life, and at the heart of this collection are the emblematic composers of the Austro-German repertoire. Throughout, Christa Ludwig's interpretative insight is arich and compelling as her voice, exceptional for its beauty, range and flexibility. This 11-disc collection includes recordings never before released or [is] new to CD."

As you can hopefully see from the link above, it is rich in Schubert, Brahms, Wolf, Richard Strauss, Mahler, Schumann, Beethoven, Haydn, Rossini, Reger, Purcell, Handel, Gluck, Ravel, Saint-Saens, Rachmaninoff, Wagner and Berg.

Collaborative artists include her former husband, Walter Berry, bass-baritone, tenor Fritz Wunderlich (Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde/Klemperer), pianists Gerald Moore, Geoffrey Parsons and Leonard Bernstein. Conductors include Sir Adrian Boult, Otto Klemperer, Charles Mackerras, and André Vandernoot.

The big surprise here is the inclusion of a Sony Classical licensed to Warner first-time CD release (outside of Japan) of "An Evening of Brahms Songs" with pianist Leonard Bernstein. This collection includes Brahms' Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103 and ten of his lieder, recorded live and first published in 1977. Another wonderful recording in this set is "A Most Unusual Song Recital" in its first CD release featuring Walter Berry and pianist Gerald Moore. One track was previously unpublished, "Silent Night, Holy Night" in German. And yes, the famous "Cat Duet" by Rossini is here, too!

The booklet contains several photographs, an interview (where some statements may surprise you), and an excellent article by George Hall on her life.

Vocal aficionados will surely not want to be without this remarkable set AND the DGG edition.