{"product_id":"flagstad-sings-grieg-her-last-concert-1957-pasc528","title":"FLAGSTAD sings Grieg - Her Last Concert (1957) - PASC528","description":"overviewfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eGRIEG \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003e10 Songs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eGRIEG \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eIn Autumn\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eGRIEG \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eLyric Suite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eGRIEG \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 18px;\"\u003eHomage March\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12px;\"\u003eLive concert recording, 1957\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12px;\"\u003eTotal duration:  77:29 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eKirsten Flagstad, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003esoprano\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eBBC Symphony Orchestra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003econducted by\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003e Sir Malcolm Sargent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_titlefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_quotefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9review_bodyfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9main_samplefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fsamples\/PASC528.mp3578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fProducer's Note578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcontent578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp\u003eThis especially historic Proms concert took place in the Royal Albert Hall on 7 September 1957. It was preserved for posterity on a set of BBC Transcription Service LP discs, a set of which (in excellent condition) were the source for the present release.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs our sleevenotes explain, this concert took place two years after the official retirement from the concert stage of Kirsten Flagstad. She was persuaded to return one last time, to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Edvard Grieg on 4 September 1907.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFlagstad made two appearances that night - the concert was broadcast in two halves, each apparently beginning with purely orchestral music and ending with a selection of songs. The radio listings for 7 September 1957 suggest we may be missing almost an hour of material, though it is unclear quite how much speech and commentary that might have included. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat has been preserved is more than an hour and a quarter of fine music and a very short burst of introductory commentary, which I have retained. Sound quality throughout is excellent, the reverberant space of the hall notwithstanding. Whilst the songs have appeared elsewhere before now, we believe this is the first release in which they have featured in the context of this final concert, coupled with the orchestral items and the aforementioned short excerpt of commentary. Together they make a fitting tribute both to the composer and to one of the all-time great sopranos.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eAndrew Rose\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab1_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fFull Track Listing578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5ftrack_listing578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp\u003e1. \u003cb\u003eIn Autumn\u003c\/b\u003e, Op. 11  (11:46)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003eLyric Suite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e2. 1. \u003cb\u003eShepherd Boy\u003c\/b\u003e  (5:39)\u003cbr\u003e3. 2. \u003cb\u003eNorwegian March\u003c\/b\u003e  (2:52)\u003cbr\u003e4. 3. \u003cb\u003eNotturno  \u003c\/b\u003e(3:58)\u003cbr\u003e5. 4. \u003cb\u003eMarch of the Trolls\u003c\/b\u003e  (3:30)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003e12 Songs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;\"\u003e, Op. 33\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e6. No. 2 - \u003cb\u003eVåren\u003c\/b\u003e (Last Spring)  (6:57)\u003cbr\u003e7. No. 1 - \u003cb\u003eGuten \u003c\/b\u003e(The Youth)  (2:55)\u003cbr\u003e8. No. 9 - \u003cb\u003eVed Rondane\u003c\/b\u003e (At Rondane)  (3:55)\u003cbr\u003e9. No. 12 - \u003cb\u003eFyremål \u003c\/b\u003e(The Goal)  (3:12)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e10. \u003cb\u003eSigurd Jorsalfar\u003c\/b\u003e (suite), Op.56, No 3 - \u003cb\u003eHomage March\u003c\/b\u003e  (8:51)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e11. 6 Romances, Op.39, No. 1 - \u003cb\u003eFra Monte Pincio\u003c\/b\u003e (From Monte Pincio)  (5:55)\u003cbr\u003e12. 4 Songs, Op.21, No. 1 - \u003cb\u003eDet første Møde\u003c\/b\u003e (The First Meeting)  (4:53)\u003cbr\u003e13. 5 Songs, Op. 26, No. 1 - \u003cb\u003eEt håb\u003c\/b\u003e (Hope)  (2:34)\u003cbr\u003e14. 6 Songs, Op.25, No. 2 - \u003cb\u003eEn Svane\u003c\/b\u003e (A Swan)  (3:13)\u003cbr\u003e15. 5 Songs, Op.70, No. 1 - \u003cb\u003eEros  \u003c\/b\u003e(3:59)\u003cbr\u003e16. Melodies of the Heart, Op.5, No. 3 - \u003cb\u003eJeg elsker Dig!\u003c\/b\u003e (I Love You!)  (3:20)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eKirsten Flagstad,\u003c\/b\u003e soprano\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBBC Symphony Orchestra    \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003econducted by \u003cb\u003eSir Malcolm Sargent\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eXR remastering by \u003cb\u003eAndrew Rose\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCover artwork based on a photograph of\u003cb\u003e Kirsten Flagstad\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eSir Malcolm Sargent\u003c\/b\u003e in the present concert, September 1957\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA live BBC broadcast recording\u003cbr\u003eProms Concert, 7 September 1957\u003cbr\u003eThe Royal Albert Hall, London\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal duration: \u003cb\u003e 77:29\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab2_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fCover Art578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcover_art578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcovers\/thumbs\/PASC528.jpg578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcovers\/PASC528.pdf578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab3_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab4_labelfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fSleevenotes578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab4_typefb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5fcontent578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab4_contentfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f\u003cp\u003e\n1957 was the fiftieth anniversary of Grieg’s death and to mark the occasion\na special prom concert was organised to consist entirely of his music. It\nwas decided that the occasion honouring Norway’s most famous composer would\nbe made extra special with an appearance by Norway’s foremost singer,\nKirsten Flagstad. Flagstad had retired from public performances following\nher Carnegie Hall farewells in 1955, but had continued to perform on the\nradio (including a complete Gotterdammerung broadcast over three days), and\nmake commercial recordings. Happily Flagstad indicated her willingness to\nparticipate in the concert, paying tribute to a composer ‘whose music meant\nso much to me.’\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe concert consisted of a number of shorter Grieg pieces, In Autumn, Lyric\nSuite, Peer Gynt Suite, Piano Concerto, Homage March and ten songs. The\nentire prom was broadcast by the BBC on the Light Programme (a rather\ncurious location, since most serious classical music was heard on the Third\nProgramme or the Home Service), but the BBC Transcription Service were also\nthere to record parts of the concert for the overseas audience.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\nWhile the purely orchestral pieces are of historic interest, and given a\ndash of energy by Sir Malcolm Sargent’s conducting, the main attraction of\nthe prom for attendees and radio listeners alike, was Flagstad’s return to\nLondon, and to public performance. If anyone had concerns that her vocal\ninstrument, so treasured from her pre- and post-war appearances at Covent\nGarden, had been diminished through lack of use, those doubts would have\ndisappeared very rapidly. As the critic of the Times reported, the voice\nremained ‘colossal’, easily able to soar to the furthest reaches of the\nAlbert Hall and every single one of the more than five thousand seats. Part\nof Flagstad’s longevity was that she was always careful about what she\nsang, refusing to take on too many engagements, but her superb vocal\ntechnique obviously helped. Her voice is often described as ‘seamless’\nwithout jarring register changes, and this concert demonstrates it clearly.\nThe lower, middle and upper parts of the voice blend together perfectly and\nwhen she opens up the sound to something like full throttle (though one\nsuspect she always kept a little in reserve) the impression is almost\noverwhelming.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe reviews were overwhelmingly positive. The Times thought that her voice\n‘has retained its glory in retirement; repose and relaxation have probably\nenhanced its potentiality.’ Indeed the songs allowed her ‘glorious\nmusicianship’ to shine through. Neville Cardus, writing in the Manchester\nGuardian, thought ‘the tone and phrasing were, as ever, controlled without\nthe slightest effort’ and that the ‘mellow warmth of her singing’ was the\nonly sign of her advancing years. Flagstad appeared in Norwegian national\ncostume, much to the delight of her audience, and no doubt many hoped, as\ndid the Listener Magazine, that she would be persuaded to return in future\nyears. Alas it was not to be. Within days of this concert she wrote ‘I will\nnever sing in public again’ and she stuck to that decision. While there\nwere to be a few more recordings, including a set of Sibelius songs, and\nthe role of Fricka in Das Rheingold, Flagstad never sang before an audience\nagain. This recording shows that she left the concert stage while still at\nthe height of her powers.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab4_cover_thumbnail1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab4_cover_thumbnail2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab4_cover_download_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab4_sample1_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab4_sample2_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab4_sample3_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab4_sample4_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab4_sample5_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f578a9379d1e540bd96d26f03a79628d9tab4_sample6_s3_locationfb55cd020f0643f08418183279e63a5f","brand":"Pristine Classical","offers":[{"title":"Ambient Stereo 24-bit FLAC","offer_id":54932325171539,"sku":"cgn1789302252910","price":11.88,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ambient Stereo 16-bit FLAC","offer_id":54932325204307,"sku":"juq1789302252911","price":8.04,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"320kbps Ambient Stereo MP3","offer_id":54932325237075,"sku":"wzy1789302252912","price":7.41,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1068\/1833\/9155\/files\/flagstad-sings-grieg---her-last-concert-1957---pasc528_1.jpg?v=1789302260","url":"https:\/\/lovevividclad.shop\/products\/flagstad-sings-grieg-her-last-concert-1957-pasc528","provider":"luckagni","version":"1.0","type":"link"}