Helga Pilarczyk appeared with Scherchen, a fervent champion of 'Erwartung', throughout the 1950s, and she also recorded the work for Robert Craft [CBS] and Vaclav Neumann [Praga Archives 250082]. This, however, from 1960, is the one to have: it finds the big voluptuous voice radiant, secure and in almost effortless form for the first time since LP record. This truly is 'Die Frau' as Isolde's nervous breakdown. Superb support from Scherchen; somewhat quirky, if well-documented presentation from Wergo in their anniversary year. Excellent sound.

Under the title of “studio reihe neuer musik”, WERGO released outstanding recordings in the 1960s, thus creating a trademark of advanced contemporary music in the label's early days. On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, WERGO now releases these highlights of 20th-century music history in an excellent sound quality in DSD for the first time.