Winterreise - your favourite recording

[LeMartinPecheur]

(NB, Die Nebensonnen, the piano part deepens into a symbol, a ray of light in the surrounding gloom
)
has probably been most analysed. What the three suns are remains a mystery, for there is nowhere in Schubert's or Muller's works any clue. They could be people or concepts capable of being replaced or changed, but constituting an influence at once loved and painful, and from which, of profound necessity, the release comes only with death.

Stanley: this 'explains' the three suns http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebensonne

It must be right cos it's in German (Did Schubert use Wiki?)

They're apparently called 'sun dogs' in English. Not a term I recall seeing, but Google will give you plenty of pictures.

[vinteuil]

They're apparently called 'sun dogs' in English. Not a term I recall seeing, but Google will give you plenty of pictures.

.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_dogs

[Stanley Stewart]

Thanks, MLP. I'll need to take a much closer look to wisen-up!

[Karafan]

This is also a great little film for any fans of FiDi....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8-u261Kn0I

[Radio64]

Ok.. I 'fess up:

after much deliberation I eventually went for last year's Kaufmann/Deutsch recording as a digital download. It was the one I'd been hearing on the Classic*l Ch*rt and I'd sort of got used to it. I've been enjoying it very much over these past few days, especially on these cold, sharp yet sunny mornings. No 'three suns' as yet although I did experience a wonderful Abendrot as I was listening to it on the earplugs during a late afternoon Spaziergang over the weekend. Magical.

Naturally, just minutes after finalising abovementioned digital purchase I came across Bostridge's recent release which seemed a very viable proposition - 3 CDs + the DVD of Winterreise performance, at a very reasonable price....so I went for that too. Gave his Winter a cursory listening this morning.... impressed.

I'd also enjoyed the first three episodes of Bostridge's insight-ful radio programme in the meantime. I'll probably end up getting the book at some point.

[gurnemanz]

I'd also enjoyed the first three episodes of Bostridge's insight-ful radio programme in the meantime. I'll probably end up getting the book at some point.

The book is well worth getting. I'm only as far as the chapter on song 2, Die Wetterfahne, which contains a wealth of fascinating background information on the complications of love, sex and marriage in Biedermeier Austria.

Discussing homoeroticism, he remembers reading Goethe's poems at school (as I did), referring to the "best example", Ganymed and "that notorious Venetian epigram I remember from schooldays where he declares that he prefers sex with a woman because having had her as a girl he can then take her as a boy." Our teacher never drew our attention to that one.

[Radio64]

Finding Bostridge's performance a little more fruity than that of Kaufmann...

[Richard Tarleton]

Finding Bostridge's performance a little more fruity than that of Kaufmann...

A bit like comparing apples and oranges, R64. Members of different species, vocally.

[Radio64]

A bit like comparing apples and oranges, R64. Members of different species, vocally.

True. Although the fruity metaphor still holds.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

True. Although the fruity metaphor still holds.

I'm not sure if you're praising or criticizing Bostridge at the expense of Kaufman R64 ... "Fruity" has such splendid associations.

Should we make sure we listen to at least five songs per day from the Bostridge?

[Radio64]

I'm not sure if you're praising or criticizing Bostridge at the expense of Kaufman R64 ... "Fruity" has such splendid associations.

Should we make sure we listen to at least five songs per day from the Bostridge?

No critique intended Ferney. Just different. Kaufmann just seems decidely more teutonic in his delivery.

And ja, I would like to hear more of Bozzy. I have Die Schöne Müllerin on hand (so to speak). Any advice on how to approach it/her?

[ostuni]

Any advice on how to approach her?

I gather that dressing in green gives you a distinct advantage...

[Radio64]

I gather that dressing in green gives you a distinct advantage...

à la Robin Hood?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I gather that dressing in green gives you a distinct advantage...

The Müllerin songs shouldn't create any difficulties for anyone who knows Winterreise, R64 - perhaps take them four or five songs at a time before going through the whole cycle in one go.

[Oliver]

Music 'O' Level, 1963....how it all comes back. Agreed; Mullerin songs are much easier to listen to than Wintereise. I'm not surprised that the examiners chose them. And perhaps more accessible poetically for fourteen/fifteen year-olds.