COMPOSERS: Schubert
LABELS: Naxos
WORKS: Lieder
PERFORMER: Regina Jakobi (mezzo-soprano); Ulrich Eisenlohr (piano)
CATALOGUE NO: 8.554741
Schiller’s elevated, philosophical verse only fitfully inspired Schubert to his best. And sprawling, multi-sectioned ballads like ‘Die Bürgschaft’ and ‘Ritter Toggenburg’ need more colour and temperament than Regina Jakobi can muster if they are not to try the listener’s patience. Jakobi’s clear, gentle mezzo is at its best in lyric numbers such as ‘An Emma’. But she sounds out of her depth in dramatic pieces like the potentially spine-chilling ‘Gruppe aus dem Tartarus’. Ulrich Eisenlohr, rather clangily recorded, is a faithful and efficient accompanist. Richard Wigmore
Schubert: Lieder
Schiller’s elevated, philosophical verse only fitfully inspired Schubert to his best. And sprawling, multi-sectioned ballads like ‘Die Bürgschaft’ and ‘Ritter Toggenburg’ need more colour and temperament than Regina Jakobi can muster if they are not to try the listener’s patience. Jakobi’s clear, gentle mezzo is at its best in lyric numbers such as ‘An Emma’. But she sounds out of her depth in dramatic pieces like the potentially spine-chilling ‘Gruppe aus dem Tartarus’. Ulrich Eisenlohr, rather clangily recorded, is a faithful and efficient accompanist. Richard Wigmore
Our rating
3
Published: January 20, 2012 at 1:16 pm