Schubert: Lieder

This combination can never go wrong: Schubert, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Gerald Moore. This is one of the safest CD's to buy, just lovely and inspiring.
These lieder allow Fischer-Dieskau to show a vast range of dynamics and emotions, while Gerald Moore shows how well he merged into the singer's intention. My favorite accompanying pianist.
I have to say that I am deeply touched by "Das Zügenglöcklein"(6). Fischer-Dieskau's is magnificent in the "command to come in", as well as in the delicacy of the last line of each of the verses. And what a magnificent poem speaking about the parish bell calling on someone's imminent death.



An Emi Classic CD of digitally remastered (1988) recordings of mostly 1965, except for 21:1958, and 15+16:1962.

1. An die Entfernte D765
2. Auf dem Wasser zu singen D774
3. Der Schiffer D536
4. Der Wanderer D649
5. Nachtgesang D314
6. Das Zügenglöcklein D871
7. Der Jüngling und der Tod D545
8. Das Heimweh D456
9. Das Lied im Grünen D917
10. Der Tod und das Mädchen D531
11. Der Winterabend D938
12. Der Zürnende Barde D785
13. Der Strom D565
14. Litanei auf das Fest Allerseelen D343
15. Sei mir gegrüsst D741
16. Du bist die Ruh D776
17. Heidenröslein D257 (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
18. Ständchen, 'Horch! Horch! die Lerch' D889
19. Der Jüngling an der Quelle D300
20. Die Forelle D550
21. Der Erlkönig D328

Mahler: Rückert-Lieder (Kindertotenlieder, 5 Rückert-Lieder, fahrendes Gesellen)

This is a Great Recordings of the 20th Century CD from EMI, including 2 song cycles, a song set, and a glorious repetition of single song song from a second set. The set and one cycle are poems by Rückert, while the other cycle is Mahler's unlove poems. The lyrics are included in Spanish, French, German (original, all), English. I have to say that by far the best translation of the three is the Spanish. It keeps the essence and keeps closer elements to the German. The other two have been worded too freely.
I have to say that it is very seldom that one can find a working of 4 different people so well put together: Rückert, Mahler, Barbirolli, and Baker. It is hard to believe that each worked on its own. On its own time and space, to be empathic with the tone of the lyrics. Alone, of course, until Baker and Barbirolli joined on rehearsals. The booklet's text is very appropriate for this CD (which is something unusual, in my opinion), because the writer gives a 1st person perspective as well as a personal narrative.

Whoever listens to this CD (unless a German expert, of course... oder Deutsche als Muttersprache, aber natürlich) should follow reading the lyrics closely to enjoy this fully.
The last song, which repeats the 2nd set's fifth song, is superbly performed, sublime interpretation by all.

Janet Baker, mezzo-soprano; John Barbirolli conducts the Hallé Orchestra, New Philharmonia Orchestra

CD contents

• Kindertotenlieder, song cycle for voice & piano [or orchestra] (Rückert)
• Rückert Lieder, song collection for voice & piano [or orchestra] (Rückert)
• Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, song cycle for voice & piano [or orchestra] (Mahler lyrics)
• Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen, song for voice & piano [or orchestra] (#5 of 7 Songs by (Rückert) )

Bruno Walter: Beethoven & Mahler

This is the rare Volume 2 for Grammofono 2000's "His First Recordings in America for Columbia". Bruno Walter conducts the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. And he plays the piano in "Lieder und Gesänge aus der Jugendzeit" for Desi Halban, soprano.

I really enjoyed Mahler's Symphony no. 5 with Walter, as compared to Claudio Abbado's. I think Walter's is how it was intended... much more subtle, playful, serene (of course, his closeness to Mahler must have played a key role in his interpretation). While Abbado's gives it a cinematographic touch, very much with the grandiosity used in incidental music, Walter's is more situated, theatrical... less lights and more imagination. The comparison would be similar to Hollywood productions today vs. Hollywood productions from the 50's.
Regardless, both are worth listening to. Enjoy particularly the fifth movement of Mahler Symphony No. 5.

Beethoven's Eroica is very expressive, especially with his use of dynamics.

Link to Amazon's page for this CD set: Beethoven: Symphony No. 3; Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Disc 1: Beethoven
Symphony No.3	Eb	Op.55 Columbia M449	Jan. 1941	Eroica
Disc 2: Mahler
Symphony No.5	C#m	Columbia SL 171	Feb.10,1947
Selection from "Lieder und Gesänge aus der Jugendzeit" for Voice and Piano(1880-1890)		Columbia SL 171	Desi Halban, soprano Bruno Walter, Piano Dec. 16, 1947	I.Frühlingsmorgen (Leander) II. Erinnerung (Leander) III. Hans und Grethe (Mahler) VII. Ich ging mit Lust durch einen grünen Wald (*) IX. Starke Einbildungskraft (*) XI. Ablösung im Sommer (*) XII. Scheiden und Meiden (*) XIII. Nicht wiedersehen (*)

Enrico Caruso: Best Recordings

Beautiful voice. Soft interpretation, full with sentiment. The sound is quite punished, esp. regarding the orchestral instrumentation. Lacking power, as compared to Pavarotti, he more than compensates with his intention. It is almost as if he himself were surprised with his facility to do as he pleases with his voice. With such fluid transitions, it is a shame the recordings sound so bad, but most are near or more than a century old.
Classic Options, CD: 20 tracks

Name

Year

Observation

Addio a Napoli

1919

Lolita

1908

O Sole mio

1916

La danza

1912

Tarantella sincera

1911

A Granada

1918

español

Vaghissima sembianza

1920

Vieni sul mar

1919

Le pecheurs de perles

Je crois entendre encore

Rigoletto

1908

Questa o quella

La Regina di Saba

1909

Magiche Note

Il trovatore

1906

Di quella pira

Aida

1911

Celeste Aida

Pagliacci

1907

Vesti la giubba

Un ballo in maschera

1911

Di tu se fedele

Manon Lescaut

1913

Donna non vidi mai

La Juive

1920

Rachel, quand du Seigneur

La Tosca

1909

Recondita armonia

Ombra mai fu

1920

Messe solennelle

1920

Domine Deus

Schubert: Winterreise

Beautiful interpretation by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) and Gerald Moore (piano) of Schubert's D911 (Deutsche Grammophon, 1972).

Great narrative was achieved by the baritone's sensibility and dynamic range, as he interprets different characters throughout the work from poems by Wilhelm Müller. No emotions were withheld by Fischer-Dieskau, marking the different characters with distinct voices (timbres). A must-listen. Moore's accompaniment is delicious as well. (Amazon indicated this album has been discontinued by DG)

1. Gute Nacht


2. Die Wetterfahne


3. Gefrorne Tränen


4. Erstarrung


5. Der Lindenbaum


6. Wasserflut


7. Auf dem Flusse


8. Rückblick


9. Irrlicht


10. Rast


11. Frühlingstraum


12. Einsamkeit


13. Die Post


14. Der greise Kopf


15. Die Krähe


16. Letzte Hoffnung


17. Im Dorfe


18. Der stürmische Morgen


19. Täuschung


20. Der Wegweiser


21. Das Wirtshaus


22. Mut


23. Die Nebensonnen


24. Der Leiermann