Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau - Schubert: Lieder, Vol. 2 [Box Set] (CD)

All Music Guide

Is the second set of Fischer-Dieskau's nearly complete recordings of Schubert's songs even better than the first set? The performances are just as great: Fischer-Dieskau's voice is still one of the marvels of the age: strong, supple, sensitive, and soulful and his interpretations are so completely at one with the songs that one can hardly speak of something so vulgar as "interpretation." And accompanist Gerald Moore is still one of the finest accompanists who ever plunked at the piano, fitting himself to Fischer-Dieskau like a hand-tailored suit. But it is possible that the second set is even better than the first set because it includes Schubert's songs from 1818 through 1828 and, say what you will, but Schubert's later songs are better than his earlier songs. Which is saying quite a bit: how does one improve on perfection? But Schubert did and Fischer-Dieskau is right there with him, rising to heights beyond even those of the earlier songs. One of the greatest sets of recordings ever released, easily on the same exalted plane as Schnabel's Beethoven sonatas, Fitzgerald's Songbooks, and Dylan's Basement Tapes. Everyone should hear these recordings.

- James Leonard, All Music Guide