Elisabeth Schwarzkopf: A Career on Record

This complete discography of all Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's recordings is illuminatingly enhanced by the singer's own candid comments and reflections. Schwarzkopf is the only recording musician ever to have examined her own legacy of recordings in any detail, and her discussions with John Steane, which form the first part of this book, are fascinating for her legendary self-criticism and delight in her art. Alan Sanders' discography listing includes worldwide issues of records, cassettes and CDs, and covers Schwarzkopf's entire recording career from 1937 to 1979. This is interspersed with a commentary setting the scene for the recordings and putting them in the context of Schwarzkopf's live performances. The whole pattern of her singing activities is thus clearly conveyed. The book includes photographs of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf and her colleagues in the recording studios, some never previously published, and comprehensive indexes. It will be an essential and continual source of reference for all her admirers.