Franz SCHUBERT (1797 – 1828)
Die schöne Müllerin
1. Das Wandern [2:18]
2. Wohin? [2:09]
3. Halt! [1:30]
4. Danksagung an den Bach [2:18]
5. Am Feierabend [2:29]
6. Der Neugierige [4:13]
7. Ungeduld [2:36]
8. Morgengruss [4:16]
9. Des Müllers Blumen [3:17]
10. Tränenregen [3:54]
11. Mein! [2:16]
12. Pause [4:25]
13. Mit dem grünen Lautenbande [1:52]
14. Der Jäger [1:02]
15. Eifersucht und Stolz [1:31]
16. Die liebe Farbe [4:02]
17. Die böse Farbe [1:56]
18. Trockne Blumen [3:20]
19. Der Müller und der Bach [3:49]
20. Des Baches Wiegenlied [5:33]
Bonus Lieder
21. Wandrers Nachtlied [1:43]
22. Ganymed [4:38]
23. Prometheus [5:29]
24. An den Mond [4:52]
25. Der Musensohn [2:00]
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone)
Gerald Moore (piano (tr. 1-20), Jörg Demus (piano) (tr. 21-25)
rec. 1961 (tr. 21-25), 1962 (1-20)
ALTO ALC 1207 [77:51]
The songs of Franz Schubert were central to Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau all through
his long career. He returned to many of the songs on several occasions.
He first recorded Die schöne Müllerin in 1952 also with Gerald Moore.
Then came the 1971 version, Moore again at the piano but this time for Deutsche
Grammophon. In the end this became the most comprehensive Schubert song project
by any singer. Today these recordings are available on 21 well-filled CDs
in a box. This is an indispensable collection for lovers of Schubert. For
me that version of Die schöne Müllerin has been the favourite for
40 years. Whether it is superior to the present version is a moot point. The
1962 one finds F-D at the absolute peak of his powers with the voice in perfect
shape. He had lived with these songs for so many years and honed his readings
through innumerable performances. One can, without exaggeration, state that
here is an ideal equilibrium between experience, diligent study and still
undiminished inspiration. The freshness, both vocally and in attitude, is
wholly compelling. In 1971 he had further rethought his readings, not in overall
shape but in details and there is still not a trace of routine. A slight tendency
to over-emphasis can be detected, something F-D from time to time has been
criticized for, but nothing to worry about. We have to be grateful for having
both versions available. However many recordings of Die schöne Müllerin
are issued, F-D’s will always be in the top layer.
Highlights? All twenty songs, but lend your ears to some of the later ones,
where he surpasses himself. Der Jäger (tr. 14): the intensity, the
rhythmic élan, the colouring of the voice. It’s a short song, one minute only,
but so much happens within those few seconds. Die liebe Farbe (tr.
16) at the other end of the scale, introspective with impeccable legato. In
both songs he sings off the words. The text is always in focus for
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Again, close listening to all the songs leaves the
same impression of total identification – and the sheer beauty of the voice.
The value of this issue is further enhanced by the inclusion of five Goethe
settings, recorded the previous year for DG with another of F-D’s favourite
accompanists, Jörg Demus. The centre-piece is without doubt Prometheus,
where both Schubert’s and Fischer-Dieskau’s dramatic accomplishment is fully
exposed. It’s a pity there are no texts, but many readers will no doubt have
other recordings with texts and translations and those who haven’t can find
what they need here: http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/assemble_texts.html?SongCycleId=48
Let me just add that the transfers are excellent and with almost 78 minutes
playing time you get a lot of music for your money. No one will regret buying
this disc.
Göran Forsling
No one will regret buying this disc.
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Franz SCHUBERT (1797 – 1828)
Die schöne Müllerin
1. Das Wandern [2:18]
2. Wohin? [2:09]
3. Halt! [1:30]
4. Danksagung an den Bach [2:18]
5. Am Feierabend [2:29]
6. Der Neugierige [4:13]
7. Ungeduld [2:36]
8. Morgengruss [4:16]
9. Des Müllers Blumen [3:17]
10. Tränenregen [3:54]
11. Mein! [2:16]