Search - Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt :: Janet Baker sings Mendelssohn, Liszt and Schumann Lieder

A collection of the highest standard

11/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is unique even by Janet Baker's extraordinary standards. Even more than her Schubert, I think that the Schumann and Liszt interpretations transport us directly to another world -- the high Romantic era, with its passion, spirituality and mystery. The opening track alone of the Liederkreis takes into a evocative, melancholy world --- from which you cannot, and will not, escape until the final delirious song in the cycle. As for the Liszt, these somewhat unknown songs are proven here by Baker to be of the highest level --- as is her singing which, in 2 or 3 songs in particular ('You who are from heaven'), can only be called volcanic."

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 02/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"TWO CD'S OF JANET BAKER IN HER PRIME: SUPERB,SUPERIOR,SUBLIME!!!



If you approach this recording with the concept that a singer is just a voice, OR an instrument like any other and/or if you own scores of most of the Mendelssohn and Liszt Lieder, it will not bother you that no words or translations are supplied in this otherwise recommendable issue.



This perfectly wonderful collection includes sixteen songs by Mendelssohn, a song cycle by Schumann and twelve songs by Liszt; a great combo of German Lieder.



Daniel Barenboim partners Baker in the Schumannn(1968/75); the greatly admired and still missed Geoffrey Parsons is the accompanist in the Mendelssohn and Liszt selections(1979/80). So these are all recordings from Dame Janet Baker in her prime.



With so many Baker recordings to choose from, I think that these are superb, with her unique, mellifluous tone quality and vocal colouring, and her intelligence of musical phrasing conveying the essence of each fleeting mood, be it eager and ecstatic, or grief laden and despondent. The songs with Parsons have a confidential quality as between friends who know each other well. 'Liederkreis' with Barenboim has an additonal frisson and concentration, which puts this well beyond the many choices available.



Three outstandingly creative musicians on one album; terrific!!!!





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