Search - Andreas Schmidt, Johannes Brahms, Helmut Deutsch :: Brahms: Lieder (Complete Edition), Vol. 3

Another majesterial performance by Andreas Schmidt

christopher wernham | Toronto Canada | 11/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was a difficult cycle of songs for me to get into. I had tried listening to Fischer-Dieskau doing them but for some reason that had not worked. Of course, Schubert's cycles are more immediately likeable because generally more tuneful. The melodies stick. Many of Brahms' other songs rest in the memory much more easily and longer than these do, for either musical or dramatic reasons. Still they repay close attention and Andreas Schmidt is here up to his usual high standard.I have made a point of listening to most of what Schmidt has recorded and, although I don't think he will ever achieve the accolades for interpretation that were showered upon Fischer-Dieskau during his long career, on the other hand, I am fully convinced that he will never be accused of artificiality, mannered singing, affectation or exaggerated word-pointing in the way the older singer was. His approach is natural and his voice perhaps the most naturally beautiful of the bass-baritone lieder singers with us today, bar none. The lower part of the register is full and extraordinarily firm while the high notes done piano are ravishingly sweet. This man has good taste on his side. He does not show off high notes but he has them all. If pressed, I would select numbers 1, 4, 6 and 11 as offering something outstandingly fine but, it must be emphasized, there is nothing under the mark here and each song brings its own particular brand of satisfaction.Very highly recommended."