Schubert: Winterreise

03/07/2009
Jean-Jacques Millo
Opus Haute Définition (France)

Supreme masterpiece of German lied, Schubert’s Der Winterreise made an impression on his contemporaries that provoked surprise and questioning. In 1827 Josef von Spaun, a close friend of the composer, related this in these terms, ‘We were all taken aback by the sombre mood of these songs. These songs of such melancholy sadness—and that Vogl interpreted so magisterially—transported us with enchantment. Without any doubt, there are no German songs more beautiful than this swan song’.

For this new recording the Australian tenor brings his shining, warm tone to an interpretation where theatricality is pointed judiciously with the requisite finesse. From beginning to end, the result requires one’s admiration … let’s praise once again the production quality of the label which goes to great lengths to produce beautiful recordings that the music lover cannot ignore.