Consummate performance by one of the 20C's greatest tenors
04/12/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fritz Wunderlich's effortless, velvety tenor is beautifully suited to lieder as well as opera. He is my all-time favorite tenor. It's so tragic that he met with a fatal accident in the prime of his life. Nonetheless, there is a wealth of listening material available for Wunderlich's admirers. The "Dichterliebe" contains some of Schumann's greatest material and Wunderlich's simple and heartfelt renditions will leave you mesmerized. His diction is flawless and he is in full control of his flexible voice at all times. I've never heard Beethoven's "Adelaide" sung better. It's as if it were written especially for him. Also flawlessly performed are the Schubert, my favorites being "Der Musensohn" and "An Sylvia". The recording is clear and warm--very lifelike. Hubert Giesen is a superb musician and accompanist. This CD is a must have, not only for serious students of lieder, but also for anyoe who wants to be immersed in glorious music, gloriously performed. I can't recommend it highly enough."