Search - Franz Schubert, Janet Baker, Gerald Moore :: Franz Schubert: Lieder

An essential CD at a bargain price!

Solanales | Saint Paul, Minnesota United States | 02/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although I have admired Schubert lieder sung on the radio and in concert halls, this pair of CDs originally recorded in 1971 and 1981 represents my initial purchase of these minature masterworks. And what a first choice! This generous collection of songs for the female voice (and a few originally intended for the male voice) is beautifully interpreted by Dame Janet Baker with masterly accompaniments at the piano by Gerald Moore or Geoffrey Parsons. Here you have unforgettable renditions of "The Trout", "Death and the Maiden", "Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel", "Ave Maria" (the closing musical work performed in the original version of Disney's Fantasia, incidentally) and 38 additional songs (the two wiegenleid or "cradle songs" are enchanting!) at so modest a price. There are no English translations provided with the songs, but with Schubert's extraordinary gift of word-painting, they are barely necessary and should not hinder your appreciation of these quintessential discs."

Superlative: Plain & Simple

DorianLS | 11/14/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't figure it out, but I am a 32 year old man who is recently coming to terms with the fact that the music made in previous generations was vastly superior to the current generation's performances. Perhaps the shift toward materialism and gratuitous information has tainted our sensibilities. Whatever the case, this recording of Janet Baker's from 30 years ago is charged with dignity, gravity & sublime subtlety. Her weighty instrument permeates the proceedings like caffeine permeating the bloodstream. And Gerald Moore...well, what can a person say? This pairing and their performance make this disc a cornerstone of any collection, and at the budget price it is truly a "can't miss" purchase. These recordings should be be requisite listening in kindergarten. We need to start early with the new generation!"

Best version of Ava Maria anywhere

DorianLS | United States | 10/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The entire CD is excellent, but two songs above all stand out and, as far as I know, there are no better performances: Ava Maria and Wiegenlied (D. 867). Everything is beautiful about her version of Ava Maria, but what stands out above all is the authenticity of her performance - it is heartbreakingly beautiful. I've heard 8 or 9 other performances and none came anywhere close. In fact, I can't really listen to others as they all seem to miss the point. With regard to Wiegenlied, Baker's singing has a preciousness to it which is perfectly apt for this song. Although there are many other excellent performances, these two essential songs alone merit the purchase of the album."