second half of the final scene, but prefers Jarnach's more melodramatic ending, even though it does not accurately reflect Busoni's intentions. "Dietrich Henschel displays considerable style and stamina during his two extended monologues in the opera's final stages, and although his singing isn't entirely free of straining for effect, or of bluster, the character's tortured humanity is vividly conveyed." "Begley tackles the many demanding aspects of the part [of Mephistopheles] with panache and, in the scintillating ballad, wit and menace are in perfect balance." Recommended in 2008 Penguin Guide "Dietrich Henschel may not be a searching or weighty interpreter, but the clarity and incisiveness of his singing are most impressive, leading to a noble account of the death scene, one of the passages expanded in the Beaumont version. He is well contrasted with the powerful Mephistopheles of Kim Begley, a tenor role that is Wagnerian in its demands." Reviewed by Joseph Horowitz in The New York Times, May 7, 2000. Retrieved 27 October 2009. "This is in every way a thoughtful, conscientious and polished presentation, yet (alas) it feels small and tight." "FAUST and Mephistopheles are mega-roles. Faust ranges from existential turbulence to erotic bravado and terminal repose. Mr. Henschel sounds like a scaled-down version of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in the 1970 Deutsche Grammophon recording.... Busoni's Mephistopheles is cunning, edgy, commanding: a character-tenor with heft. Mr. Begley is merely a Loge. William Cochran, in the Leitner recording, applies a Siegmund voice to the part; the results are labored but properly formidable." ^ Doktor Faust (1924) BV 303 Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Poet); Dietrich Henschel (Doktor Faust); Markus Hollop (Wagner); Kim Begley (Mephistopheles); Torsten Kerl (The Duke of Parma); Eva Jenisova (The Duchess of Parma); Markus Hollop (The Master of Ceremonies); Detlef Roth (The girl's brother) Chœur de l'Opéra National de Lyon Chœur du Grand Théâtre de Genève Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lyon Kent Nagano, conductor Busoni: Doktor Faust. Ferdinand Leitner. DG 427 4132 (DG prod. page; available as a digital download. Retrieved 27 April 2009.) Analog version issued on LP in 1970; digital version released 6 April 1989. Recommended in 1996 Penguin Guide. Recording received 3 of 3 stars, high praise for the conducting of Leitner and the portrayal of Faust by Fischer-Dieskau, but there were reservations concerning Hildegard Hillebrecht as the Duchess of Parma and the many cuts in the score. Review of original LP release by Lionel Salter in Gramophone,