Search - Schubert, Fischer-Dieskau, Moore :: Schubert: The Song Cycles - Fischer-Dieskau, Moore

So heart-rending, it's almost unbelievable. Superb. Supreme.

Ramon Kranzkuper | Gainesville, FL | 02/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This set contains three very different recordings: Die schöne Müllerin, Winterreise, and Miscellaneous Lieder. Let me review each in turn. But before that, let me assure you that if you are going to purchase a Winterreise recording, this is THE one. Moore's piano accompaniment is legendary, and the sound is top-notch DG.First off, one needs to know a little German, or at least follow the translation well, in order to appreciate these Lieder. Fischer-Dieskau brings such a depth of emotion into the music that the lyrics must be followed by the listener, or else much is lost."Die schöne Müllerin" is relatively more accessible to the first-time Schubert listener or the first-time classical vocal-music listener. Each song is melodious, and the structure of most of the songs makes for relatively easy listening. The cycle is the tale of a miller hurt in love, and though the lyrics are simplistic, Schubert's setting of these lyrics resulted in a work of powerful emotion.Fischer-Dieskau is not at his most inspired in this recording. There is not enough exuberance in places where it is warranted; but this is more than made up by the tenderness and sensitivity in the appropriate songs. The petulant anger in "Der Jäger"; the dreamy satisfaction in "Halt!"; the finality of the outburst in "Trockne Blumen" - these are wonderful."Die Winterreise" in this set is the most, repeat, the most beautiful rendition of ANY of Schubert's Lieder that I have heard. Someone once reviewed this CD saying "it makes you feel like slashing your wrists". True! "Die Winterreise" is, as Schubert said, morose and devoid of hope; Fischer-Dieskau carries the mood and emotion to the extreme limits, and what we get is such a heart-rending performance, it's almost unbearable. It's also almost unbelievable that a human voice can carry so much emotion.Fischer-Dieskau's voice in this recording (Winterreise) is at its best. It sounds totally spontaneous; it is from the depths of a miserable heart - and yet it is perfect. So perfect, in fact, that it seems that not even a syllable could have been improved! The horror of the waking from the dream - "Es shrieen die Raben vom Dach!"; the resigned yet infinitely pining tone in "wann halt ich mein Liebchen in Arm?"; and most of all, the soul-shaking tremor in the words "Ob wohl auch so reisend schwillt?" -- these stick in the heart. If any one recording opens the ear to Schubert's infinite world of painful beauty, this is the one.The third CD is miscellaneous Lieder; again, Fischer-Dieskau's voice is in good form. However, there is nothing particularly noteworthy about this CD - there have been better performances.To sum up, this set is some of the best Schubert you will ever procure - even if only for the "Winterreise"."

Deserves 7 stars

Ramon Kranzkuper | 01/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau rivals Sinatra as the best voice of the century (sorry, Luciano). His voice is neither strained nor overtrained. Something of a romantic/classical crooner. Find out why he has sold worldwide even more recordings than Sinatra, by investing in these renditions, with the superbly understated piano accompaniment of the legendary Gerald Moore. Here are two of the best song cycle artists available on one CD, playing the works of a genius who, in the words of Garrison Keillor, could put a poem to music as easily as most of us could write a post card. Schubert is to lieder what Beethoven is to symphonies. Enjoy!"