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Matthias Goerne - Schubert

Melanie Eskenazi | Cheam UK | 09/02/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Schubert Goethe - Lieder Matthias Goerne, Andreas HaefligerThis disc was my first introduction to the voice of Matthias Goerne, and I have to say that initial impressions were not as ecstatic as later ones - for what reason, on that one occasion, I do not know. I listened to "Schäfers Klagelied" and thought that his singing here was no match for that of John Mark Ainsley on Hyperion - a lovely legato line was evident but Goerne seemed to me to give insufficient attention to individual words, and to miss something of the heartbreak of this song. However, with the promise of his "Schöne Müllerin" which I shall be hearing next week at Wigmore Hall, I thought I'd go back and listen to some more, this time giving him the attention he deserves. It is no exaggeration to say that I was overwhelmed by his singing this time around; from the first few bars of "An den Mond" I was completely captivated. What makes this baritone so special, amongst the vast number of singers recorded in this repertoire? A voice so beautiful that it comes as a shock to hear it - noble, wonderfully warm, sensitive in phrasing, possessing a rare sense of rhythm, extremely rich in the lower registers yet with an almost tenor-like top, and beguilingly sensual - yes, girls, this really is one seriously sexy voice. Quite apart from the startling sensuality of the voice, Goerne's appeal also rests in the high seriousness with which he approaches the music. His dedication to the ideals of lovely tone, a firm, flowing legato and imperceptible breath control are never allowed to compromise his idiomatic feeling for the poems, and he does not over-stresses individual words - never plucks out an adjective and waves it around - all is expressed within the line of the music. Two examples must suffice here - Goerne sings "Wandrers Nachtlied" eloquently, with that sense of powerful ease which typifies his art; the aching yet understated passion which is graphically shown in "Ach, Ich bin des Treibens müde..." is another of his individual characteristics. "Erster Verlust," one of my favourite Schubert songs, shows Goerne at his best; this is deeply fervent, intensely beautiful singing, the tenderness of the poem and the musical line conveyed in melting tones and with that warmth and intimacy which are evident throughout this wonderful recording."

This is a fantastic version of Schubert's Goethe lieder.

Melanie Eskenazi | 07/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This version is one of the most beautiful. Goerne is such a good singer. But Andreas Haefliger also is an excellent pianist. I hope this duo brings out other songs."