Lieder (Incls Die Schane Mullerin, Die Winterreise & Goethe-lieder) (Rec 1974-1987)

"This 7-CD set contains a variety of recordings of great Schubert lieder singers. Including some of the finest singers for this repertoire, both male and female, this bargain-priced set is an excellent introduction to Schubert's songs, and a must-have set for those who are fans of this music.

With the exception of the Robert Holl recording of Die Winterreise, all of these recordings are reissues licensed from other labels. Yet, Brilliant Classics' approach to classical music - releasing very low-priced sets of fine recordings - once again shows its worth in this set. This box includes the three great song cycles - Die Schöne Mullerin, Die Winterreise and Schwanengesang, along with four recital discs.

While none of these recordings are the best that any of the individual singers have made, some of them are truly excellent. The one that stands out most is Peter Schreier's recording of Die Schöne Mullerin. Schreier has recorded this at least 4 times, and has shown that he is one of the finest interpreters of this song cycle. His pure, subtle voice fits these songs perfectly. In this recording he is smooth and flexible, with a great deal of emotion. He is very much at home in this repertoire, and it is clearly heard.

The Robert Holl recording of Die Winterreise is another fine disc. While Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau is arguably the best interpreter of this cycle, Holl gives an honorable performance. Less profound, yet with a fine voice and excellent nuances, Holl stands out in the more energetic songs, though in the softer songs his voice shows slight weaknesses.

John Shirley-Quirk is an excellent singer of Schwanengesang, his baritone fitting very well with this music. His deep voice is very reminiscent of Fischer-Dieskau, yet it has a darker sound. He espouses the gloomy emotion of this cycle admirably, giving moving performances of some of the most profound songs, such as In der Ferne, where he shows a great mastery of dynamics and handles the very low notes with ease.

The four recital discs are all of high attainment as well. The Gundula Janowitz disc combines an excellent voice with a fine choice of songs. Her soprano voice is clear and light, with a beautifully soft tone. One of the highlights of this disc is the first song, Der Winterabend, which, at more than 7.30, is a beautifully melancholic tune, which she interprets perfectly. She stands out best in the slower, more emotional songs, of which there are many here.

Arleen Augér is another fine soprano. Her selection of Goethe Lieder is wonderful. She has an excellent range, and shows it in Gretchens Bitte, a song that reaches some very high notes. Her voice has an ethereal sound at times, such as in the two Mignon songs (D 726 and 727). Most of the songs on this disc have a mellow tone to them, and Augér's voice is ideal for these songs.

Sarah Walker is a mezzo-soprano with a powerful voice. From the very first song on this disc she sets the tone - Der Musensohn is an energetic song that she interprets very well. She is best in the songs where a forceful voice fits with the music - she overdoes it slightly in Die Sterne, her voice being a bit too strong for the tune. Yet, like the other recitals, this is a very satisfying disc.

Finally, the selection of 16 Lieder by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau rounds out this set by presenting the most superb voice that has ever recorded this music. Fischer-Dieskau possesses perhaps the finest male voice for singing German lieder, as can be seen in his dozens of recordings of this music, including a complete set of Schubert's songs. This disc, recorded in 1987, shows him near the end of his career, when his voice was, perhaps, weaker than in earlier years. Nevertheless, his experience with the music is such that one is never truly disappointed by his singing. Whether soft or forceful, whether fast or slow, he interprets these songs as well as anyone and better than most. The moving Nacht und Traume stands out here as a testament to the emotion that he can pass on, and his rendition of Der Winterabend is excellent.

All in all, this bargain set is a wonderful collection of recordings of Schubert's lieder. As an introduction, it will allow you to discover seven of the finest singers of this music. And, if you are already familiar with this repertoire, this modestly-priced set will delight you. Given the price, this is a must-have set."
(MusicWeb Nov 2001)