Customer Reviews

The Voice ~ Quasthoff

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Thomas Quasthoff has performed throughout the world in a repertoire so varied that his talents appear endless. This very fine recording is part of the DGG Portrait of an Artist Series and while there is little new work here, this is a compilation of many of the recordings the have made Thomas Quasthoff one of our leading bass-baritones of the day.

Included are excerpts from such superb recordings as the Mahler 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn' disc with Claudio Abbado conducting the Berlin Philharmonic, as well as recordings of the music of Bach, Brahms, Liszt, Carl Loewe, Lortzing, Mendelssohn, Schubert, Wagner and von Weber.

Not only does the recording include songs with orchestra (with Christian Thielemann conducting the Berlin Opera Orchestra, Abbado/Berlin Philharmonic, and Rainer Kussmal conducting the Berlin Barock Solisten), but it also has a generous sampling of works with piano with the fine Justus Zeyen as collaborator.

For those who are already devoted fans of Quasthoff's art, this is an excellent 'encore album'. For those unfamiliar with this great singer, this fine and affordable CD is a sampler that offers a taste of the range of Quasthoff's genius. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, July 06

If like me you've eagerly bought every album released by the remarkable Thomas Quasthoff, this bargain two-fer from DG holds only two small surprises. On CD 1, dedicated to performances with orchestra, there's an unreleased Schubert song--Greisengesang D. 778--with orchestral accompaniment by Abbado. On CD 2, dedicated to lieder, there's an odd addendum called Jazz Improvisation, lasting six minutes, in which Quasthoff riffs and scat sings in the style of Bobby McFerrin, weird noises and all!

The rest is self-recommending. Quasthoff has shot up to the heights in recent years thanks to his exceptional vocal range, innate musicality, and deep intelligence. I wish DG hadn't pretentiously entitled this album "The Voice," but don't be put off. Everything here is first rate and will lead you to explore the complete albums that contributed to this compilation.

i purchases this after i saw the artist perform at a rare carnegie hall recital. he's the real thing. if you sing at all, you'll appreciate how he slides up and down the scale with power, ease and juicy grace.

My 80 year old aunt, a true fan of the classics assures me that NO ONE sings better than Thomas Quasthoff. She loves him, she loves this CD which I bought her as a gift.