Search - Schubert, Schumann, Brahms :: Erlkonig: Art of the Lied

Schubert, Schumann, Brahms
Erlkonig: Art of the Lied
Genres: Pop, Classical

Track Listings (28) - Disc #1
1. Erlkonig D 328 - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Baritone
2. Horch, horch, die Lerch': Standchen D 889 - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Baritone
3. Geheimes D 719 - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Baritone
4. Uber allen Gipfeln: Warnders Nachtlied II D 768 - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Baritone
5. Heidenroslein D 257 - Fritz Wunderlich, Tenor
6. An die Musik D 547 - Fritz Wunderlich, Tenor
7. Die schone Mullerlin: 1. Das Wandern - Fritz Wunderlich, Tenor
8. Die schone Mullerlin: 7. Ungeduld - Fritz Wunderlich, Tenor
9. Die Forelle D 550 - Fritz Wunderlich, Tenor
10. Gretchen am Spinnrade D 118 - Christa Ludwig
11. Der Tod und das Madchen - Christa Ludwig
12. Lachen und Weinen - Christa Ludwig
13. Fruhlingsglaube - Christa Ludwig
14. Des Knaben Wunderhorn: Liederalbum fur die Jugend op. 70: 14. Marienwurmchen - Christoph Eschenbach
15. Myrten op. 25: 3. Der Nussbaum - Christoph Eschenbach
16. Myrten op. 25: 7. Die Lotosblume - Christoph Eschenbach
17. Myrten op. 25: 24. Du bist wie eine Blume - Christoph Eschenbach
18. Liederkreis op. 39: 5. Mondnacht - Christoph Eschenbach
19. Liederkreis op. 39: 12. Fruhlingsnacht - Christoph Eschenbach
20. Dichterliebe op. 48: 1. Im wunderschoen Monat Mai - Fritz Wunderlich
21. Dichterliebe op. 48: 2. Aus meinen Tranen spriessen - Fritz Wunderlich
22. Dichterliebe op. 48: 7. Ich grolle nicht - Fritz Wunderlich
23. Liebestreu op 3 Nr. 1 - Daniel Barenboim
24. Der Schmied op. 19 Nr. 4 - Daniel Barenboim
25. Des Liebsten Schwur op. 69 Mr. 4 - Daniel Barenboim
26. Sapphische Ode op. 94 Mr. 4 - Daniel Barenboim
27. Therese op. 86 Mr. 1 - Johannes Brahms
28. Vergebliches Standchen op 84 Nr. 4 - Daniel Barenboim

CD Details

All Artists: Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Fischer-Dieskau
Title: Erlkonig: Art of the Lied
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Release Date: 8/8/2000
Album Type: Enhanced
Genres: Pop, Classical
Styles: Vocal Pop, Opera & Classical Vocal, Historical Periods, Baroque (c.1600-1750), Classical (c.1770-1830), Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 028944518825

Synopsis

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

CD Reviews

Gorgeous Performances of Great Music -- and More

Lawrence A. Schenbeck | Atlanta, GA USA | 12/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation of 19th-century art songs from Germany -- Lieder to the initiate -- would be a treasure even if all it contained were the marvelous performances of these little gems taken from the DG back-catalog, with great artists like Fischer-Dieskau and Jessye Norman present. But besides that, it is also a CD-ROM (at least MY copy is) containing editable sheet music for these selections, translations and notes on the composers, and interactive features that will be especially useful to students and singers. This new feature, called CD-pluscore, may also appeal to ordinary listeners who'd like to go just a bit deeper in their understanding of this music."

Almost Perfect

Dr. Fartmeister | Vancouver BC | 01/23/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is indeed an excellent collection of German Lieder, featuring three astounding interpreters of the repertoire. However, the fourth interpreter, the sometimes-great Jessye Norman leaves a bit to be desired. She does have an excellent sound and good delivery, but some of her trademark barking shows up in a couple of Brahms characteristically mellow pieces (one cannot sing Brahms as if it is Shoenberg). That is really my only complaint. But that is no reason not to buy this CD. Fritz Wunderlich's extremely uptempo interpretation of the crowd-pleasing "Ich grolle nicht" alone is worth half the price of the CD, and the other half is more than compensated for by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau's incomparable performance of Schubert's "Erlkonig", the disc's namesake. Other highlights from these two singers are Wunderlich's subtle, sublime "An die Musik," and Fischer-Dieskau's playful "Marienwurmchen"Christa Ludwig's beautiful soprano soars in her interpretations of Schubert, particularly "Gretchen am spinnrade" and "Lachen und Weinen." Her delivery is nearly flawless, and even my mother (who hates sopranos for some reason or another) enjoys listening to her singing. I would HIGHLY suggest buying this CD if you are studying voice. If you are, you will undoubtedly be studying several of the pieces featured here, and the immaculate renditions presented on this disc will undoubtedly be of great use to you."

Fabulous Recording, Tremendous Student Resource!

Colorado Bernstein | 02/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Erlkonig - The Art of the Lied" is a fabulous compilation of perhaps the best recordings ever made of the most famous lied ever written. Dietrich Fischer-Diskau, Fritz Wunderlich, and Jessye Norman offer impeccable interpretations of their selected songs. I must differ, however, with another reviewer on the quality of Jessye Norman's singing represented on this CD: it is splendid! It is the tracks recorded by Christa Ludwig which can be hooty and pitch-approximate, especially "Gretchen am Spinnrade." But, all-in-all, the CD is still 5-star. Apart from purchasing Fischer-Diskau's complete recordings of Schubert's lied (which can cost hundreds of dollars!), this is the best representation of German Lied out there.
But, there's more! This special CD, "CD-pluscore", if played on a PC displays the songs as the artists sing them. This is a tremendous tool for the student of singing. The artist's musical interpretation can be studied. Passages can be repeated to aid more rapid learning. The music is actually seen to help improve musical literacy, even if only rhythmically as the piece scrolls through. Just check it out!
"Erlkonig - The Art of the Lied" stands among the best as a top-flight recording. In addition, it offers its listeners a deeper and possibly more rewarding experience with its "CD-pluscore" feature. I give it my highest recommendation! I have visited the Deutsche Grammaphon website and they list 12 "CD-pluscore" recordings. I would suspect they are all of the same quality as Erlkonig. I have just ordered two of them through Amazon."