Erlkonig: The Art of the Lied

Amazon.com This record is a jewel box: wherever you open it, you find precious gems and pearls. The program includes the greatest songs in the literature; although they are familiar, you cannot hear them often enough. Four singers who not only possess some of the most beautiful voices of our time, but also are among the foremost interpreters of this repertoire, perform these songs. The recordings, originally made between the 1960s and 1980s, capture the singers at their incomparable peak; the differences between their vocal and interpretive styles add greatly to the disc's fascination. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau's technique and breath control are incredible; he can brighten and darken his voice; his pianissimo floats, his climaxes ring. Always famous for his intellectual approach and for giving equal attention to poetry and music, Fischer-Dieskau sings here unusually spontaneously and free of "word-painting." Fritz Wunderlich's voice has a uniquely melting, yearning lyricism and a radiant, soaring top; his expression is simple and direct. He subtly changes tempo and vocal color for contrast in the strophic Schubert songs, and makes Schumann's "Ich grolle nicht" sound unrelentingly angry--contradicting the text, but following the musical feeling. Christa Ludwig brings out the character and mood of each song, and sings with great inwardness and intensity; her voice is dark, warm, and variable, her pacing perfect. Jessye Norman's diction is no less admirable than the German singers', and her voice is simply glorious. She knows exactly how to use its infinite color and variation--its thrilling, luminous glow, and intense expressiveness--as an interpretive tool, and makes it converse, caress, demand, exult, smile, and laugh. The pianists, two of whom are eminent conductors, are absolutely marvelous. --Edith Eisler
ASIN: B00003ZA65
VSKU: DBV.B00003ZA65.G
Condition: Good
Author/Artist:Franz Schubert|Robert Schumann|Johannes Brahms|Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau|Christa Ludwig|Jessye Norman|Fritz Wunderlich
Binding: Audio cd
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Condition Notes: Individually inspected: Guaranteed to play perfectly or your money back. Case may show wear and may be in library packaging. Ships Fast!