Heribert Schachtschneider - In Fernem Land (Gralserzählung) - Lohengrin

The fabulous and underappreciated German tenor Herbert Schachtschneider. Born Feb. 5, 1919, he studied in Berlin with Julius von Raatz-Brockmann in 1937. Drafted into WW II, Schachtschneider was taken as a POW to England, and in 1948 continued studies with Hans Nachod in London. He began his career at Flensburg, Essen and Mainz, finally coming to Cologne in 1959 where he spent the next 25 years singing a huge variety of roles. Best known as a Wagnerian (and a Loge for the ages), his most popular role was probably Hoffmann in Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffmann". He also sang Verdi and Puccini, his best roles being Radames and Calaf. He taught snging at Saarbrücken in his later years. Schachtschneider died Oct. 28, 2008.

"In fernem Land" Gralserzählung (Grail Narration) from Act III of Lohengrin by Richard Wagner.
Hans Swarowsky, c.
1968

[vladimirrasputin]

Eine glanzvolle Stimme, die größere Aufmerksamkeit verdient hätte. Klare Diktion und Inspiration sind tonangebend. Die Interpretationen von Herbert Schachtschneider halten jeden Vergleich mit Kultstars aus. Sein Lohengrin ist sicher einer der besten.

[ric]

Hexmeyer, you do find some wonderful singers! A great admirer of Hans Swarowsky, I have at last obtained a copy of this Lohengrin. Why this performance is not better known is beyond belief. As well as this terrific heldentenor it also has the great Otto von Rohr.

[HansJosefKasper]

Das ist ein Lohengrin!! Herbert Schachtschneider war mein Lehrer an der Hochschule.

[ric]

Thank you for your profound knowledge. I have the mp3 version, thank goodness !

[gerardmignon]

le Del Monaco des ténors allemands, voix et timbre somptueux, projection insolente, brio, enfin tout quoi !

[Hexmeyer]

Thanks for the encouragement, Ric. This is indeed a fine Lohengrin, the male cast is strong and Swarowsky is stupendous, but the women are only everage, maybe less (IMO). Von Rohr is yet another undervalued singer, but on the LP and CD releases of this recording, Walter Kreppel is inexplicably heard as King Henry although the label says von Rohr. On the MP3 version, it is indeed the great Otto von Rohr.

[franzleiermann]

Klaus Florian Vogt please listen to this and be quiet.