2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Restraint and overdoing it, February 12, 2004
This review is from: Songs of Robert Schumann, Vol. 5 (Audio CD)
Although the quality of singing and playing is as high as every other endeavour in this project, this is the first recording that feels "padded." The inclusion of two chorus settings--"Die Minnesaenger" and "Die Lotusblume"--not only add little to the concert but actually disrupt the flow for me. There are also four songs by Clara Schumann which don't do much for the whole concert either, especially her trite setting of "Lorelei." Graham Johnson's notes, which I always enjoy tremendously, also felt padded and less witty than usual. This is the first time I felt the desire to be comprehensive overtook the quality of the individual disc.
That said, there are many magnificent recordings here, especially "Belsatzar," "Mein Wagen rollet langsam," "Die beiden Grenadiere," and "Die Lotusblume." Although this DICHTERLIEBE did not replace my favorite (as Johnson's SCHOENE MUELLERIN and WINTERREISE recordings from the Schubert collection did), it's a lovely and ethereal display of restraint and care well worth having.
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