Franz SCHUBERT
Schwanengesang D 957
Totengräbers Heimwehe D 842
Nachtstücke D672
An den Mond D 193
Im Frühling D 882
Christian Gerhaher (baritone)
Gerold Huber (piano)
Arte Nova Classics DDD
74321750752
[71.18]
Crotchet
AmazonUK
AmazonUS
Although having appeared at the Wigmore Hall, the name of Christian Gerhaher
is still little known in the UK. It is to be hoped therefore that this release
in the Arte Nova Voices series brings him wider recognition for he is undoubtedly
a singer of considerable expressive talent.
The popularity of this repertoire makes it a brave choice for what I presume
to be his debut recital on compact disc; yet from the outset the strength
and expressive range of his voice is in evidence. In the second song,
Kriegers Ahnung, he demonstrates admirable evenness of tone and handles
the transition between the opening material and the more fluid music that
follows with natural ease. On familiar ground in the fourth song,
Ständchen, he is able to hold his own impressively, projecting
his dynamic range admirably. There are a couple of moments of slightly uneasy
intonation in the extraordinary In der Ferne although this is soon
forgotten as Gerhaher shows the true emotional range of his voice later in
the song. He is possibly at his very best in songs eight and nine, Der
Atlas and Ihr Bild, the former sung with considerable dynamic
power, followed by the complete contrast of the hushed, desolate opening
of Ihr Bild. The haunting atmosphere created at the beginning of the
eleventh song, Die Stadt, lingers in the memory as does the impressive
climax (around 3'25") in the funereal Der Doppelgänger, the
thirteenth song. The four additional songs that make up the disc are handled
with equal sensitivity, my only slight caveat throughout the recital being
that I would have liked to have heard a little more dynamic and expressive
contrast from the accompanist at times.
One major gripe as far as the packaging is concerned. It is a great shame
that Arte Nova do not print English translations of the text in the booklet
as they do with the introductory essay on the music and the performer's
biographies. I know there are plenty of counter arguments (budget price,
German produced, well-known repertoire etc.) but given the width of the market
that the disc is aimed at it really would be an asset.
This point aside however the disc represents excellent value for money and
for those wishing to build a collection economically can be recommended
unreservedly. Lieder enthusiasts will, without question, have their favourite
recordings of Schwanengesang, but at budget price this performance
is well worth a listen.
Christopher Thomas
Texts
from Emily
Ezust
http://www.click2classics.co.uk/
