Winterreise

Franz Schubert

Olaf Bär, Geoffrey Parsons

late 1980s

Top recommendation. A great combination of 'beauty of tone and artistry.' Bär has a strong, virile tone but can also sing the most delicate passages. He shows the 'right amount of expression and vulnerability' and is wonderfully recorded.

Hans Hotter, Gerald Moore

1954 Mono recording.

A timeless classic. Hotter's deep bass sound and 'calming authority' delve into the depths of the work, conveying a real sense of wisdom gained. 'Der Leiermann' is especially poignant.

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Jörg Demus

1965

Represents Fischer-Dieskau's consummate artistry. He 'delved into every nook and cranny' of the text's meaning on a 'bedrock of beautiful, assured tone.' Very dramatically committed.

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Gerald Moore

1962

A complement to the Demus recording. This one is 'not quite as overtly dramatic' and is 'a little bit smoother,' allowing the 'beauty of it comes out a little bit more.' He is a little more assured of tone here.

Gérard Souzay, Dalton Baldwin

1962

An invaluable perspective. Souzay brings an 'introspective quality' and 'dreamy aspect of chanson' that illuminates the German Lieder. It's 'beautifully nuanced' and he brings a different color to each song.

Peter Pears, Benjamin Britten

1963

A very introspective and sensitive version, with 'almost an icy character' that is apropos. 'Artistically just so illuminating,' despite some strain in Pears' tone, from two 'tremendous artists'.

Peter Schreier, Sviatoslav Richter

1985 Live recording.

A live version preferred over the studio recording. It 'goes for broke more in terms of the emotions,' with extremes that are engaging, thanks to the live tension and Richter's presence.

Jonas Kaufmann, Helmut Deutsch

2013

A great newer version. Kaufmann's dark, 'almost... haunting quality' goes well with the cycle. He 'really utilizes the colors of his tone to illuminate the poetry' in a thoughtful, intense, and beautifully recorded performance.

Peter Mattei, Lars David Nilsson

2018

An even newer version. Very dramatic and expressive. Mattei's tone has a 'strong center' and an 'ironically an icy quality' that is haunting, dark, and 'very seductive sounding'.

Brigitte Fassbaender, Aribert Reimann

1988

An essential recording from a different perspective. Hearing it in the soprano register highlights the writing's beauty. Fassbaender is a 'consummate artist' with a 'beautiful full tone, very dramatic and passionate'.

Peter Anders, Michael Raucheisen

1945 Mono recording.

A wartime recording where the 'circumstances really do seem to affect what you hear.' Has 'palpable emotions,' is 'really drawn out,' and 'milks the drama of the work as completely as completely as you can imagine.' Not for the faint of heart.

Gerhard Hüsch, Hans-Udo Müller

1933 Mono recording.

The very first Winterreise recording. From a 'giant of leader singing,' with a large, deep, colorful baritone sound. He 'delves into the emotions' in a way that is 'very direct and palpable'.