People are often curious as to how time affects a singer and especially one like Lotte Lehmann who sang for over 40 years. You’ll find here one Lied, one of the most famous, Schubert’s Ständchen which she sang throughout her life.
Because so many composers set poems about serenades, we subtitle this one with its opening words: “Leise flehen…” You’ll find the original words and a literal translation below.
Leise flehen, 6 December 1927 with Manfred Gurlitt conducting a chamber orchestra (studio recording)Leise flehen, 12 December 1943 with Pierre Monteux conducting the San Francisco Symphony (live performance)Leise flehen, 26 June 1947 with Paul Ulanowsky, piano (studio recording)Leise flehen, 5 August 1948 as an encore with piano at a Hollywood Bowl concert (live performance)Leise flehen, 17 April 1950 with Bruno Walter, piano (live performance as part of the San Francisco Symphony’s “Standard Hour” broadcast)This is a cleaned up version of the 17 April 1950 performance without so much distortion.
