Search - Franz [Vienna] Schubert, Christa Ludwig, Gerald Moore :: Schubert: 15 Lieder

Christa Ludwig sings Schubert Lieder

Richard E. Mendales | Harrisburg, PA USA | 03/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a reissue of Schubert lieder sung by Christa Ludwig at the height of her vocal powers during the 1960's. It deserves its place among the "Great Recordings of the Century." The singing is flawless, and includes some of the finest Schubert songs outside of the major cycles, including "An die Musik," "Gretchen am Spinnrade," "Ellens Gesang" (the original German text of Schubert's "Ave Maria"), and the hard to find but wonderful "Litanei auf der Fest Aller Seelen." The accompaniment is exactly what it ought to be and the sound quality, considering the age of the recording, is more than acceptable."

A must have Schubert album

Alan Montgomery | Oberlin, Oh USA | 05/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own the original LP versions of these songs - minus the first three tracks of the CD. The recorded sound is impeccable, far better than a later DGG recording of some of the same repertoire. The piano sound is warm and free. Geoffrey Parsons plays the accompaniments as beautifully as anyone could. And he doesn't let up on the infamous Erkönig. If this is standard Schubert and not too adventuresome, consider how wonderful it is to have them all in one volume.



Of course Christa Ludwig, absolutely in her early prime, is the reason to buy this, and she is stunning. The Ellens Gesang (original German text for Ave Maria) actually makes all three verses take on a shape and meaning. (Why doesn't anyone record the entire set of pieces from Lady of the Lake? I've heard them and they're gorgeous.) Ludwig differentiates nicely between the maiden's voice and that of Death in Tod und das Mädchen - the maiden is anxious and Death sounds world weary. As one should hear, but we don't always, Ludwig finds a new and fresh voice for each song. Nothing sounds the same as the one before. One surprise to me is that Die Forelle is sung without an introduction. I don't know the reason, but it works. If you want a recording of the really standard Schubert songs sung as well as they can be sung, this is the recording for you. No gimmicky sound, no extra echo - it is just straight-forward, artful and honest singing. Truly a recording of the century."