Stephanie Blythe - Brahms 'Alt-Rhapsody' · Wagner 'Wesendonck-Lieder' · Mahler 'Der Abschied'
This stunning release by mezzo (or contralto) Stephanie Blythe shows her dark, focused tone, intelligent and musical approach to the texts, and winning involvement. Schoenberg's re-orchestration of the final song from Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde is very different from the original; though sparse (only 13 instruments), it has great color, with wind instruments importantly highlighted and piano used surprisingly and effectively. Blythe and conductor John Nelson present the narrator's resignation strongly; there is agitation before true inevitability is accepted. A re-working by Hans-Werner Henze of Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder also emphasizes the wind instruments, and its refined transparency is well-suited to Blythe's mostly very lyrical, but occasionally outgoing and strong reading of the poems. Brahms's Alto Rhapsody gets a correctly intense and morbid reading, and Blythe's full sound is perfect for the occasion. The vocal group A Sei Voci and Ensemble National de Paris contribute handsomely. Highly recommended.--Robert Levine