A perfect companion album for the one I mentioned already yesterday: the recording of Jessye Norman. Norman’s recording is from 1983, and is very operatic, grandiose in nature. I always have the feeling she is coming on a bit too strong. Juxtaposed is this recording, from 1966. Schwarzkopf makes it highly personal, every word is charged with meaning. These poems about dying are perfect for that.
And yet, maybe it is the recording. It just doesn’t strike me as much as you would expect. Maybe it is my audiophile approach, because to me the sound is a bit unclear. In 1983 they were just creating better recordings I guess. Still, if only because of the material itself, I can still recommend having a listen, and maybe so a comparison yourself.