Wolf: Spanisches Liederbuch

This account of these searing, ecstatic songs remains in many ways unsurpassed. It captures Fischer-Dieskau’s peerless baritone at its most communicative and beautiful. And Gerald Moore’s account of the piano parts – the key to the cycle’s elliptical Spanishness – is very finely expressed if slightly overwhelmed by a balance that favours the voices. Schwarzkopf, too, is outstanding technically, but she had a tendency to over-interpret, especially in the coquettish songs, that makes me long for a less mannered, more natural approach. Claire Wrathall

Our rating

5

Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:29 pm

COMPOSERS: Wolf
LABELS: DG Originals
WORKS: Spanisches Liederbuch
PERFORMER: Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (soprano), Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone), Gerald Moore (piano)
CATALOGUE NO: 457 726-2

This account of these searing, ecstatic songs remains in many ways unsurpassed. It captures Fischer-Dieskau’s peerless baritone at its most communicative and beautiful. And Gerald Moore’s account of the piano parts – the key to the cycle’s elliptical Spanishness – is very finely expressed if slightly overwhelmed by a balance that favours the voices. Schwarzkopf, too, is outstanding technically, but she had a tendency to over-interpret, especially in the coquettish songs, that makes me long for a less mannered, more natural approach. Claire Wrathall

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