cantoresq, when i would be by a cantorial concert i would ask the older folk who they heard live, some heard many chazzanim even hershman and chagy in beth el. they ALL said hands down noone came close to MK at the amud. they said you sat there mesmerised. just reporting what i heard. from the live friday night recording that’s around it’s possible to hear it a bit, especially by the end of mizmor Ldovid. i’m sure you know what i’m refering to.
also, i imagine when you say you don’t analyse by recordings, but rather by live stuff, it’s because that’s where the origanality comes out, if there is any. sadly today it’s hard to hear a chidush from any chazzan. the recycling has gotten way outa hand. (there may be an exception out there, perhaps chaim adler)
someone once critisized MK for stealing pieces for himself. to which he answered “ganvinin darft men oich kenen!”. aint that true.
BTW how do you analyze a chazzan by reading a review??
altermirer, it is a shame that stern screamed himself to an early demise (in chazzanus at least). he’s really a beautiful baratone. the warsaw MK just was in a rush to get to the big notes. when he got older he calmed down. his style was basically the same.