Jessye Norman Sings Die Nachtigall from Alban Berg's Sieben fruehe Lieder

This Saturday (Christmas Eve) marks the passing of Austrian composer Alban Berg (Feb. 9 1885 - Dec. 24 1935) 76 years ago. Berg, like Schoenberg and Webern, was an important exponent of the Second Viennese School and a master of serialism. But early in his career, he composed pieces in a highly tonal, Late Romantic style, such as his Sieben fruehe Lieder, a cycle often heard in recitals and is well represented on recordings. Of the seven songs, I am particularly fond of Die Nachtigall with its soaring melodic line and ingratiating harmonies. This song never fails to move me, especially when sung by a singer with as opulent a voice as Jessye Norman here. Her tone is so smooth, like dark mahogany, seemingly without edge - it really takes one's breath away, even if her mannerism is not to everyone's taste. The London Symphony Orchestra under Pierre Boulez is equally exquisite.  This is a desert island performance for me.

Joseph K. So