Quote Originally Posted by pimlicoquad View Post
Do try Lisa della Casa's version - the recording sound is not so lush as others, but it so controlled, and beautiful. Beim Schlafengehen is magical, the way she floats her voice over the orchestra. And the last song under Bohm's baton is the most lovely extended ritardando.
Absolutely - this is well worth listening to for those very reasons ... Della Casa is lovely in a way that is very much 'of its time' - not sure what the vinyl recording would be upto though.

I've been inspired by this thread to check out some different versions and have now listened to the following in order of preference but purely first impressions, so this could change ...

Norman / Della Casa / Janowitz / Schwartzkopf / Te Kanawa

I find the depth, atmosphere and phrasing of Norman's voice to be the most pleasing to my ears. I will have to break a habit of a lifetime to buy her on vinyl though as it's a DIGITAL recording