Hänssler label - Downloads

Each of Bach´s cantatas is distinguished by an unmistakable individuality. They are still fascinating audiences today in many ways - as immediate help with life´s problems, as the object of sentiment´s wonder or as the product of an absolute will to create art. Or, to put it in Bach´s own words: "To glorify God on high alone, for others, to learn on their own."

Fritz Wunderlich, whose vocal potential was soon recognized by Emmerich Smola, was closely associated with the Radio Orchestra of Kaiserslautern all his life. Born in the Palatinate, the artist liked nothing more than to sing on home ground. The recordings chosen illustrate his artistic development from the young student of 1954 to the world star who in November 1965, less than a year before his tragic death, stood before the Kaiserlautern Radio Orchestra for the last time.

His tremendous versatility, ranging from opera and operetta through the unknown art song to popular hits, is represented on this CD. Enjoy Fritz Wunderlich's interpretation of Verdi's "La donna è mobile", the Puccini aria "E lucevan le stelle" sung in German ("Und es blitzten die Sterne"), the "Volga Boat Song" by Franz Lehár and other classics of the repertoire like "Tiritomba", "Estrellita" and "Granada".

This release also includes those hitherto inaccessible rarities such as an aria from Ignaz Holzbauer's historical opera "Günther von Schwarzburg".

In the autumn of 1827, Hector Berlioz witnessed a performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (with Harriet Smithson in the role of Juliet). The composer later wrote of this experience: “I will marry this woman and base my greatest symphony on this drama”. Berlioz kept his word (on both counts), but the resulting “symphony” baffled contemporary audiences. Even today, Berlioz's hybrid operatic-symphony has failed to find a lasting place in the repertoire, owing primarily to the impracticalities of its performance. All the more a pity, since in the hands of gifted operatic maestro, Sylvain Camberling, Romeo et Juliette lives up to its promise as Berlioz's GREATEST score.