Dietrich Fischer-dieskau

(baritone)

Gerald Moore (piano)

Orfeo C294921B (1956)

Not all of Dietrich Fischer-dieskau’s studio recordings of Schumann’s Dichterliebe are everything they might be; some vocal weaknesses creep in in the later ones, respectively with pianists Christoph Eschenbach and Alfred Brendel, though the recording with Jorg Demus is more satisfying. Seek out in preference the concert performance from the 1956 Salzburg Festival with the Lieder pianistpar-excellence Gerald Moore. The

German baritone was 31 at the time and at the very top of his game, amply matched by Moore’s beautifully pitched playing. The result is a magisterial, mesmerising performance with a touch of genius about it. Recorded sound quality is not great, but I can forgive it.

Fischer-dieskau’s singing is not overtly operatic, yet it’s full of character and