Customer Reviews

Schumann: Dichterliebe Op39; Liederkreis

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We live in an era of great baritones--Hampson, Holzmaier, Skovhus, Terfel--to mention just a few. It is an international bonanza for lovers of the song literature. One can now firmly and safely add Quasthoff to this list. Although he has recorded a number of works, he was new to this listener but made me realize immediately what I had been missing. This is a deeply felt and remarkably performed CD. Its generous 70 minutes include many moments when one, no matter how frequently the music has been heard before, just listens in wonder. It is worth purchasing just for the 4 minutes of the song Belsatzar! The remaining 66 minutes are filled with singing that is just as wonderful. A must purchase for any fan of German art song. Also try his Schubert Winterreise and Mahler Knaben with Von Otter.

Quasthoff's rich baritone never fails to please. At once plaintive and commanding, his warm overtones enshroud the listener in the most divine light. Here the brilliant economy of Schumann's "Dichterliebe" is fully realized.

I wasn't a fan at all of these pieces, or of Schumann in general, but Quasthoff's interpretation is so lovely, earnest, clean, not flashy, just simply beautiful. It's the only recording for me.

When this Schumann recital was recorded, back in 1992, Thomas Quasthoff could display a fresher voice than today, but his full artistry was a decade away. Even so, his native gifts enable him to make a strong impression -- his phrasing is sensitive, his tone plangent, his attention to the texts impeccable. And there's sthe occasional thrilling top note, as in 'Ich grolle nicht.' What's lacking is personality and intensity. We are in the land of accomplished singing, not searing insight.

In addition, Quasthoff had yet to team up with his later accompanist, Justus Zeyer, a major asset. Here we get Roberto Szidon, himself a noted pianist but nothing special in terms of energy or insight. Everything is a bit foursquare, and Dichterliebe especailly feels a bit draggy. I love Quasthoff, and it will be nice when he gets around to revisiting this repertoire.

P.S. 2010 - On relistening, I should have been more impressed by this Dichterliebe, which stands as one of the best that I've heard from a modern baritone, along with those from Thomas Hampson and Simon Keenlyside.