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Jane Eaglen - Four Last Songs, Wesendonck-Lieder, Seven Early Song / Runnicles

Richard Wagner, Alban Berg, Richard Strauss, London Symphony Orchestra, Donald Runnicles, Jane Eaglen

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1. Der Engel ('In der Kinkheit frühen Tagen'), song for voice & piano (or orchestra) (Wesendonk Lieder), WWV 91
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2. Stehe still! ('Sausendes, brausendes Rad der Zeit'), song for voice & piano (or orchestra) (Wesendonk Lieder), WWV 91
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3. Im Treibhaus ('Hochgewölbe Blätterkronen'), song for voice & piano (or orchestra) (Wesendonck Lieder), WWV 91
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4. Schmerzen ('Sonne, weinest jeden Abend...'), song for voice & piano (or orchestra) (Wesendonk Lieder), WWV 91
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5. Träume ('Sag, welch wunderbare Träume'), song for voice & piano (or orchestra) (Wesendonk Lieder), WWV 91
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6. Early Songs (7), for voice & piano (or orchestra)
7. Early Songs (7), for voice & piano (or orchestra)
8. Early Songs (7), for voice & piano (or orchestra)
9. Early Songs (7), for voice & piano (or orchestra)
10. Early Songs (7), for voice & piano (or orchestra)
11. Early Songs (7), for voice & piano (or orchestra)
12. Early Songs (7), for voice & piano (or orchestra)
13. Vier letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs), for soprano & orchestra, o.Op. 150 (TrV 296, AV 150): Frühling
14. Vier letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs), for soprano & orchestra, o.Op. 150 (TrV 296, AV 150): September
15. Vier letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs), for soprano & orchestra, o.Op. 150 (TrV 296, AV 150): Beim Schlafengehn
16. Vier letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs), for soprano & orchestra, o.Op. 150 (TrV 296, AV 150): Im Abendrot

Average customer rating:

Voice and Artistry

Jane Eaglen has voice and talent to spare in this recording. The progression from Wagner to Berg to Strauss is simply a feast for the listner. Don't miss this recording.

Too much too soon

Jane Eaglen is a powerhouse of sound and person and while she is being groomed for the big Wagner roles there are other sopranos (Deborah Voight, Deborah Polaski, Violeta Urmana to name but a few) who seem to have grown into the texts and the poetry more than Eaglen. She is an imposing singer, but for this listener there is a metallic sheen to the voice that precludes warmth.

At her best with the difficult Early Songs of Alban Berg, Eaglen demonstrates she has the intelligence and range to communicate Berg's music. Likewise in Wagner's 'Wesendonck Lieder' she sings the notes well and delineates the lines with power and delicacy as each song dictates. At this point she falls short of the plangency, particularly in 'Traume' and 'Im Treibhaus'. As far as the Strauss 'Four Last Songs' she simply hasn't reached that point in career or life to portray the understated resignation of autumnal life that these songs must have.

Perhaps in time Eaglen's emotional temperament will grow to the stature of the power of her voice, but until that time this body of song cycles is not well suited to her repertoire. Grady Harp, August 05

Disappointing

Jane Eaglen's voice lacks the kind of sensuous quality and bloom required in this repertoire. Her singing is dry and square, and is without much charm. The accompaniment is of mediocre quality.

Unidiomatic singing

This album is disappointing, for Jane Eaglen's doesn't have the style, and in certain cases the voice, for these songs. Her singing is often bland and and bloodless and she doesn't possess requisite vocal heft in some of the climaxes.

I don't think Eaglen is that suitable to this repertoire.

Great Vier letzte lieder

Jane,one of my favorite soprano(spinto and dramatic are my favourite),i bought all her album,although some of them are not as good as u think,anyway she indeed a good singer,her four last songs is good(i dislike schwarzkopf's vier letzte lieder,as she voice is too light to sing.)
I've heard Fleming,Jessye and Kiri's Four Last Song,i found out that,Jane's tempo is faster than other did,it is useful as a heavy voice need to sing faster to make the song lively.
Her wagner is always da best,maybe she doesn't sing as powerful as brigit or flagstad did,for a young dramatic,she is
good enough!!!
I didn't hear Berg's seven early songs before,but i love them after hearing Jane's singing.
Brava Jane!!!!