Marilyn Horne - The Complete Decca Recitals - Box Set 11CDs

Label : Decca
Format : Ape
Cover : Yes

No one would deny that Marilyn Horne was one of the most important--and pleasure-giving--singers of the 20th century. Mention of her name brings forth the instantly recognizable tone, the even, perfectly-knit registers, the thundering low notes, the right-on high As, B-flats, Bs, and occasional Cs, the unspoiled legato, the endless roulades, and the effortless coloratura in general. Then, specifically, you recall the thrills of her roller-coaster-like foray into Fidès' aria from Le Prophète, the seductive charm of Dalila, the false coyness (and two-octave leaps) of Rosina and Isabella, the warmth and musicality of Orphée, the directness of "Shenandoah" and songs by Stephen Foster, the heroics of "Vivi tiranno", the lengthy scene from Rossini's L'assedio di Corinto that's like an obstacle course for mezzo and that she gets through as if it were easy. Then perhaps, will come to mind her intense reading of Schubert's "Die junge Nonne", or the soft tone she finds for Mahler's "Ich atmet einen linden Duft" and several other of that composer's more inward songs, the resignation and peace she offers in "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen". Her seductive, unexaggerated Carmen suddenly might come to mind, and then Charlotte's arias from Werther, a role not associated with her but one ideally suited to her, at least on these CDs.

Then, going through these 11 CDs, recorded between 1966 and 1986, we come across vaguely remembered or never-heard performances: an aria from Bach's Christmas Oratorio and "Erbarme dich" from the St. Matthew Passion sung with gloriously even tone and ideal oratorio style; "Parto parto" from La clemenza di Tito, with rich tone and absolute conviction; Debussy's misty Chansons de Bilitis, followed by Manuel de Falla's Siete canciones populares espanolas, in thoroughly idiomatic readings that, it's hard to believe, come from the same singer who just gave us the Debussy.

I could go on, but will allow you to discover your own favorites and surprises. Each of the 11 CDs comes in a slip case with the original cover art, but no texts or translations are provided. At the price these are being offered it would be asking far too much. The sound is uniformly superb, although volume levels vary. Zubin Mehta's leadership of the Rückert Lieder and Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen is particularly noteworthy, but the ever-reliable Henry Lewis does himself proud as well, even in the Wesendonck-Lieder. Martin Katz accompanies in the Schubert, Strauss, Wolf, Schumann, and other songs, while Carl Davis takes over for the American songs. The various orchestras are excellent. Not owning this incredibly inexpensive treasure trove would be foolish; it is a record of a brilliant career and it's a joy to listen to.

Complete tracklists : Marilyn Horne - The Complete Decca Recitals