The great German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau recorded the complete songs of Hugo Wolf for male voice twice: first in the late '50s and '60s for EMI with pianist Gerald Moore and then again in the middle '70s for Deutsche Grammophon with pianist Daniel Barenboim. Both groups of recordings are excellent, but the earlier EMI recordings are undeniably better. For one thing, Fischer-Dieskau's voice was in good shape in the '70s but it was in superlative shape in the '50s with a legato that's smoother and tonal control that ...
Read More
The great German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau recorded the complete songs of Hugo Wolf for male voice twice: first in the late '50s and '60s for EMI with pianist Gerald Moore and then again in the middle '70s for Deutsche Grammophon with pianist Daniel Barenboim. Both groups of recordings are excellent, but the earlier EMI recordings are undeniably better. For one thing, Fischer-Dieskau's voice was in good shape in the '70s but it was in superlative shape in the '50s with a legato that's smoother and tonal control that's more polished. For another thing, the younger Fischer-Dieskau was a more enthusiastic, even a more passionate singer than the older Fischer-Dieskau and that pays added dividends in Wolf's highly emotional songs. And finally it has to be said that though Barenboim is the better pianist, Moore is a more soulful and more sympathetic accompanist and his playing here is supportive but never obsequious. With many of the performances here receiving their first releases and the bonus of...
Read Less