Discover Loewe with the dependable, vibrant Andreas Schmidt
R. Lane | Tracy, CA USA | 11/22/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"CPO deserve continuous accolades for their 19 CD series of the Lieder and Ballades of Carl Loewe. Loewe's works have languished in undeserved obscurity for decades.
This volume is a great one to start with if you have yet to sample the series. The reliable baritone Andreas Schmidt is the singer in all 13 selections, and there is a good mixture of tradition Lied settings and some longer Ballades too. Schmidt handles the mood changes in the Ballades very adroitly. Cord Garben is a very fine accompaniest that I hope to hear more from.
The recorded sound is very good. The balances take a little getting used to, with the singer set farther off to the left side and the piano more recessed than is typical in other Lied recordings. But the effect is welcome, especially in the quiet portions of the Ballades, where the piano would have a tendency to drown out the voice if it were placed closer. Good choice by CPO.
The booklet brings a one star ding, as will be the case for all of the series if I get around to reviewing the other 18 CDs. The translations are sometimes quite awful, as has been pointed out by professional reviewers in magazines and on other websites. With this volume, there are several spots where the texts switch sides. For one song, English is on the left, then the next song on the same page, the English is on the right.
But don't that stop you from digging into this deep treasury of song."