Gerald Moore, Dame Janet Baker, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Elly Ameling - Schubert: Duets, Trios, Quartets (2007)

"In the typically genial 2 CD collection of Schubert duets, trios and quartets are resurrected golden age stereo analogue recordings made in 1973. These come to 25 works, all piano accompanied. The artists are the elite of the day. The only name unfamiliar to me was the tenor Horst R Laubenthal. No corners are cut with the notes which have been freshly penned by Malcolm Macdonald. On the other hand there are no texts or translations. The 35 plus years old recordings are in good fettle allowing for the unassertive ‘shush’ of iron oxide stock. The track-listings make admirably clear which of the five singers features in each song.

These songs defied my ignorant expectations. They are by no means simple pastorals. They often have more in common with dramatic scenas. Several draw on Greek legend. Also in the mix is a curvaceous vocalise in the shape of the Sing-Ubungen. Janet Baker and DFD appear on the majority of tracks across the two CDs. Baker is in superb voice but in songs such as Nur wer die sehnsucht the strain tells on DFD's vocal chords. Peter Schreier appears on sixteen of the 25 tracks and Ameling on eleven. Both are in glorious voice.

Rhetorical elevation and even the occasional dash of humour are much in evidence. Then again Schubert the lyrical romancer cannot help but put in an appearance - for example in Gutigster Bester Weisester. This is the stuff of convivial Schubertiades but ones in which the full gamut of emotional expression is run. Rustic romance is certainly there so if you enjoy the Brahms folksongs and Liebeslieder Walzer then this is for you. These songs are, as often as not, pretty far from being miniatures and several are of ambitious duration. Four run for more than ten minutes. Perhaps you already have a predilection for Schubert lieder. If so you can safely invest in this excellent set."