Ian Bostridge - Schubert Lieder, Volume II

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Ian Bostridge's second Schubert recital for EMI (which features a welcome number of the less familiar songs) is even more impressive than the first--and that's saying something. Much of the disc finds him in a somber mood, from the hymnlike tone of the first song, "Lied eines Schiffers an die Dioskuren" ("Sailor's Song to the Dioscuri"), via "Nachtstück" ("Nocturne") to "Wehmut" ("Melancholy"). But though the tone is frequently valedictory and the tempo often slow, there is never a lack of variety.

That is Bostridge's achievement as much as Schubert's--he has designed his program with great sensitivity, and his voice seems to have grown in soulfulness and depth (try "Abendstern"--"The Evening Star"--to hear how much he can wring out of such apparently simple lines) to be even more mellifluous than previously, cherishing each word and finding total accord with pianist Julius Drake. Bostridge delights, too, in the rare happier moments, such as two of the Goethe settings, "Geheimes" ("A Secret") and "Versunken" ("Rapt Absorption"), which explore the lighter side of love. The recording is beautifully lifelike, and the liner notes are excellent. This is the work of a supreme artist caught at the height of his powers. --Harriet Smith

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This, the second volume of mainly familiar Schubert Lieder performed by Ian Bostridge and Julius Drake, should prove as rewarding and memorable as the first. There is no particular theme to the programme, and the songs span most of Schubert's career – from 1814 until 1827. There are pairings (such as Auf der Riesenkoppe and Sei mir gegrusst, with the last words of the first leading into the second), and little groupings of songs that are adjacent in the Deutsch chronological catalogue.... read more

Ian Bostridge - Schubert Lieder, Volume II

Ian Bostridge - Schubert Lieder, Volume II, Music, Franz Schubert, Ian Bostridge, Julius Drake, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Classical Vocals, Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard, Vocal

Average customer rating:

Like his voice

Can we put the rapture in perspective?

A REAL SUCCESS

Even more beautiful than volume I

A Great Lieder Singer, with some unsuitable songs

Ian Bostridge - Schubert Lieder, Volume II
Franz Schubert , Ian Bostridge , and Julius Drake
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Bostridge, Ian | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Ian Bostridge - Schubert Lieder, Volume I

Ian Bostridge - Liederkreis Op. 24, Dichterliebe Op. 48 & 7 Lieder

Ian Bostridge - J.S. Bach: Cantatas & Arias / Biondi, Europa Galante

Die Schone Mullerin

Schubert: Winterreise

ASIN: B00005KBJC
Release Date: 2001-07-03

Tracks:

Lied Eines Schiffers An Die Dioskuren, D.360
Nachtstuck, D.672
Auf Der Donau, D.553
Abendstern, D.806
Auflosung, D.807
Geheimes, D.719
Versunken, D.715
Schafers Klagelied, D.121
An Die Entfernte, D.765
Am Flusse, D.766
Wilkommen Und Abschied, D.767
Die Gotter Griechenlands, D.677
An Die Leier, D.737
Am See, D.746
Alinde, D.904
Wehmut, D.772
Uber Wildermann, D.884
Auf Der Riesenkoppe, D.611
Sei Mir Gegrusst, D.741
Dass Sie Hier Gewesen, D.775
Der Geistertanz, D.116

Amazon.com

Ian Bostridge's second Schubert recital for EMI (which features a welcome number of the less familiar songs) is even more impressive than the first--and that's saying something. Much of the disc finds him in a somber mood, from the hymnlike tone of the first song, "Lied eines Schiffers an die Dioskuren" ("Sailor's Song to the Dioscuri"), via "Nachtstück" ("Nocturne") to "Wehmut" ("Melancholy"). But though the tone is frequently valedictory and the tempo often slow, there is never a lack of variety.

Customer Reviews:

Like his voice.......2007-02-15

Several of the reviews I've read on this site concerning Ian Bostridge are by people conspicuously more knowledgeable than I. They voice serious reservations about his work and his voice (small). Still his Shone Mullerin is my favorite collection of lieder. Whether his voice is small or not doesn't make much difference, I'd imagine, in the recording studio, and I find it very beautiful.

Can we put the rapture in perspective?.......2005-10-28

People are allowed to love what they love, but many reviewers here claim that Bostridge is the best lieder singer since Fischer-Dieskau. That's true only if you discount, among others,
Janet Baker
Christa Ludwig
Anne Sophie von Otter
Thomas Quasthoff
Mitsuko Shirai
Gundula Janowitz
Peter Schreier
Jan De Gaetani
Bryn Terfel
Thomas Hampson
Birgitte Fassbender
Kathleen Battle
Olaf Bar
Hakan Hagegard
Barbara Bonney
Thomas Allen
These are just the ones who've given us superlative Schubert and romatic lieder recitals on major labels since 1980 or so. I mean, it's one thing to advertize your enthusiasms, but it's another to claim your opinion as fact in the face of many, many great artists in this genre. Only after someone showed me how Bostridge excelled, or even equalled, these singers could I consider putting him up against legendary artists like F-D, Schwarzkopf, Hans Hotter, Imgaard Seefried, Julius Patzak, Kathleen Ferrier, Peter Pears...need one go on? A trendy favorite of the moment doesn't a master make. Personally, I find Bostridge an unappealing lieder singer, but if he one day gets added to the list of greats, I can accept that.

This post duplicates the one I wrote for the first volume of Bostridge's Schubert. I apologize if that offends some.

A REAL SUCCESS.......2002-10-09

This is Bostridge's second volume of "lieder" (i.e. musical settings of German romantic poems) by Schubert, and much of what I wrote in my review of his volume one applies equally here. These are wonderful songs by the greatest songwriter of all time, and Bostridge brings his usual beautiful tone and phrasing to each one of them. It would be pointlessly controversial to give any less than five stars.

The same reservations apply as before: Bostridge's voice is just too pure and lovely for some of Schubert's songs. However, it's fair to say that this later release is more successful than volume 1. In the earlier volume, he was courageously cutting heads with the greatest lieder-singers of all time on what could almost be called "Lieder's Greatest Hits". And it has to be said that for all his beauty of tone and phrasing, he has yet to develop the gravity or indeed the dramatic range and flexibility to put his name up there with the native German greats like Fischer-Dieskau, Prey, or more recently Baer and Quasthoff. In this latest volume, however, Bostridge has selected material that is more clearly suited to his terrific gifts - for the most part less well known but still outstanding compositions that involve less narrative and more reflection.

The experienced lieder aficionado who is attentive to the German lyrics may still find Bostridge's delivery insufficently deep in terms of both pitch and nuance. However, none of this is meant as negative criticism. Bostridge's glorious bel canto voice is one of the brightest lights in Britain's music industry. Lieder-singing is a highly specialised art-form in which even native German performers rarely reach their peak until middle age. And above all, this is a fine album in its own right - in fact one that most English speakers will actually find preferable to a more Teutonic and dramatic performance.

Even more beautiful than volume I.......2002-05-10

This album has a wonderful selection of songs that have a more subtle and beautiful effect than the first volume (and that is one of my very favorite albums!). His singing is beautiful and his artistry is even better. The songs aren't just sung. They are expressed so poetically it is like being in the middle of a magic spell being cast. Of course Mr. Drake's terrific playing adds so much to this recording. It isn't a singer with a pianist. It is two artists combining seamlessly to make the art come alive with a single vision.

I was fortunate to hear Mr. Bostridge and Mr. Drake perform several of these selections here in Ann Arbor. It was a wonderful recital and contained several songs that I hope get in a Volume III.

A Great Lieder Singer, with some unsuitable songs.......2002-05-09

There can be no doubtabout Bostridge's standing in the Lieder world - his recitals commonly sells out, even if he's performing relatively obscure material like Finzi.

Having first sampled him in the wonderful Schumann disc, buying this disc was a no-brainer. Bostridge lives up to my high expectations, singing with transcendental feeling; you know he's actually reliving the experience of the song, conveying the composer's thoughts instead of displaying his own vocal powers.

However, I'm not sure all the songs here are appropriately chosen - Bostridge has a very English tone, meaning a little short on power and size. Auflosung displayed this weakness - the tempo is too slow, the voice lacking in power and grandeur to project the song's intensity - just compare it to the intense Fassbaender / Johnson Hyperion recording will show that this song is less docile than it is here. Sometimes, he uses a slight crooning sound, which sounds fine, but after repeated listening, you wish he can project a fuller sound. I still enjoyed this CD but there are 500+ songs out there and I'm sure Bostridge can find more than enough that suits his voice!

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