Michael my HEART. Two more soulmates to add to my burgeoning collection. I’ve officially decided I must see a choir(s!) perform a polyphonic work live. I just need to make this happen! “…imbue the music with a rich luster, like lapping waves shimmering in the mid-morning sun”… absolutely yes!! 😍
And meanwhile, I haven’t revisited Liebestod in far too long; this particular recording is otherworldly. The “swirling kaleidoscope of celestial radiance”…I couldn’t put it better if I tried for six months! And I adore how the soft, supple conclusion/coda (starting around 11:50) shakes me to my core just as much as the sweeping crescendo. Watching the two of them perform just puts my soul in a different stratosphere. Plus the English translation!! ❤️🔥
Thanks, Katie! This pairing does indeed leave one nearly exhausted from the beauty of it all.
Jessye Norman means the *world* to me, and this performance (heightened by the fact that it was von Karajan’s final concert after a five-decade career) soars above that of any singer to me. You’ve captured why so perfectly — whether she’s delivering a whisper of wonder or a melody of full-blooded ecstasy, she invites us into the heart of the music and ensures we leave the experience transformed.
And I can’t wait until you get to see a choir perform Renaissance polyphony in all its majesty. Please report back to me when it happens! 💙
Oh goodness me. I'm a little later than usual getting around to this because yesterday I was hard at it preparing my next Substack post. This sat in my in box tantalising me, and I must say that there could not be a better way to soothe my fevered brow than listening to this sublime music and reading your wonderfully informative piece. See the look on von Karajan's face as he listens to Jessye Norman? That's how I feel this morning after reading and listening to Shades of Blue. Thank you, Michael! 💙
Oh, Jules — this all means so much! It warms my heart every time to hear your experiences with my work. Ten minutes with Jessye is indeed a sublime way to start the day. 💙
I'm excited to dive into your new Dialectic post very soon and see the fruits of your Saturday! 🥇🥈🥉
He does, indeed — also one of the few composers to write extended solos for bass clarinet. Thanks so much for reading, Kate (and hope you had a fab time in Istria)! 💙
Michael my HEART. Two more soulmates to add to my burgeoning collection. I’ve officially decided I must see a choir(s!) perform a polyphonic work live. I just need to make this happen! “…imbue the music with a rich luster, like lapping waves shimmering in the mid-morning sun”… absolutely yes!! 😍
And meanwhile, I haven’t revisited Liebestod in far too long; this particular recording is otherworldly. The “swirling kaleidoscope of celestial radiance”…I couldn’t put it better if I tried for six months! And I adore how the soft, supple conclusion/coda (starting around 11:50) shakes me to my core just as much as the sweeping crescendo. Watching the two of them perform just puts my soul in a different stratosphere. Plus the English translation!! ❤️🔥
//shall I breathe them,
shall I listen to them?
Shall I sip them,
plunge beneath them
to expire in sweet perfume?//
Thank you for these!!! 💙
Thanks, Katie! This pairing does indeed leave one nearly exhausted from the beauty of it all.
Jessye Norman means the *world* to me, and this performance (heightened by the fact that it was von Karajan’s final concert after a five-decade career) soars above that of any singer to me. You’ve captured why so perfectly — whether she’s delivering a whisper of wonder or a melody of full-blooded ecstasy, she invites us into the heart of the music and ensures we leave the experience transformed.
And I can’t wait until you get to see a choir perform Renaissance polyphony in all its majesty. Please report back to me when it happens! 💙
Oh goodness me. I'm a little later than usual getting around to this because yesterday I was hard at it preparing my next Substack post. This sat in my in box tantalising me, and I must say that there could not be a better way to soothe my fevered brow than listening to this sublime music and reading your wonderfully informative piece. See the look on von Karajan's face as he listens to Jessye Norman? That's how I feel this morning after reading and listening to Shades of Blue. Thank you, Michael! 💙
Oh, Jules — this all means so much! It warms my heart every time to hear your experiences with my work. Ten minutes with Jessye is indeed a sublime way to start the day. 💙
I'm excited to dive into your new Dialectic post very soon and see the fruits of your Saturday! 🥇🥈🥉
Shades definitely takes the gold!
Wagner does wonderful things for clarinets.
That quote about never experiencing love is heartbreakingly beautiful! Thanks for expanding our ears, Michael.
He does, indeed — also one of the few composers to write extended solos for bass clarinet. Thanks so much for reading, Kate (and hope you had a fab time in Istria)! 💙
Sublime…thank you!!
Thanks for reading and listening, Anne! 💙