Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Hugo [Composer] Wolf, Jan DeGaetani :: Schubert: Songs; Wolf: Songs from the Spanisches Liederbuch

The diverse artistry of Jan Degaetani

Magdalena Cousins | USA | 12/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of all the many treasurable discs of the late mezzo and her musical partner Gilbert Kalish, this is perhaps my favorite, since it showcases not only the technical and interpretive mastery that made her such an ideal interpreter of modern music, but also the sheer beauty of the voice itself. Degaetani's treatment of the Schubert songs may not reveal many new insights (or particularly clear enunciation of the German text), but the freshness and purity of her tone is ravishing, especially in the long descending lines of "Blondel zu Marien" (her "Ganymed" is also gorgeous, full of sun and warmth). The Wolf songs, by contrast, do not make for pretty or even pleasant listening (as they should not), but Degaetani's alertness to every shade of meaning, whether in the tortured religious songs or the bantering coquetry of the lighter "love" lyrics, make for thrilling performances, while her wide range of dynamics and perfect intonation (always so important in this music) are never less than breathtaking. Listen to the end of "Bedeckt mich mit Blumen"--Degaetani's languid sighing of the words "vor Liebe" just after singing them forte will give you chills; it perfectly conveys the bewilderment and masochistic anguish of the lovesick. Very occasionally the voice, always short at the top, can acquire an unpleasant bleating sound in the highest range in the Wolf songs, but this is a very small imperfection in what is an otherwise exhilarating recital of songs."