Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau - Desert Island Choice.

[PaulT]

A friend was looking at my recordings collection today and counted around 40 LPs and CDs featuring DFD. Being rather surprised I had so many he asked if I was to be cast adrift on a Desert Island which one recording would I choose to have with me.

I really have no idea - its so difficult to choose just one - but if push comes to shove I think I would go for his Lieder eines Fahrenden Gesellen with Furtwangler, not just because it captures the purity of a fresh-voiced singer in the flush of youth but its also a rare opportunity to experience Furtwangler's way with Mahler.

If you were asked the same question, what would you choose?

[Barbirollians]

I would agree much my favourite record of his .

[Roehre]

I would agree much my favourite record of his .

Makes 3 of us, though I have a soft spot as well for Martin's 6 Monologues from Der Sturm (on DGG, originally coupled with another DFD Mahler recording of these Fahrenden Gesellen songs)

[akiralx]

The Ruckert lieder he did with Bohm. I also like his DG recording of Hindemith's Cardillac. I did find a baritone a little heavy for Schubert lieder.

[aeolium]

I did find a baritone a little heavy for Schubert lieder.

I agree. I think I would take the recording of Busoni's Doktor Faust, with DFD as Faust and Leitner conducting the BRSO.

[JohnSkelton]

I'd chose three of his recordings with Jörg Demus as pianist: Schubert Goethe settings http://www.mdt.co.uk/schubert-goethe...ls-import.html
Schubert's Winterreise http://www.mdt.co.uk/schubert-winter...originals.html
Schumann's Dichterliebe http://www.mdt.co.uk/brahms-lieder-a...ence-2cds.html

There are some marvelous performances in this box http://www.mdt.co.uk/fischer-dieskau...feo-11cds.html of Salzburg Festival recitals 1956 - 65 with Gerald Moore.

By and large I like his later work least: that's partly the voice getting gruffer, the manner at times hectoring: also - and this is surely connected - I'm not so happy with the playing of Eschenbach and Barenboim who are involved in many of those recordings. They make it hard work (for me). I really don't like Barenboim's playing in the Wolf lieder records. Over- emphatic and 'interpreted', IMO.

[LeMartinPecheur]

I'd chose three of his recordings with Jörg Demus as pianist: Schubert Goethe settings http://www.mdt.co.uk/schubert-goethe...ls-import.html
Schubert's Winterreise http://www.mdt.co.uk/schubert-winter...originals.html
Schumann's Dichterliebe http://www.mdt.co.uk/brahms-lieder-a...ence-2cds.html There are some marvelous performances in this box http://www.mdt.co.uk/fischer-dieskau...feo-11cds.html of Salzburg Festival recitals 1956 - 65 with Gerald Moore.

By and large I like his later work least: that's partly the voice getting gruffer, the manner at times hectoring: also - and this is surely connected - I'm not so happy with the playing of Eschenbach and Barenboim who are involved in many of those recordings. They make it hard work (for me). I really don't like Barenboim's playing in the Wolf lieder records. Over- emphatic and 'interpreted', IMO.

JS: do you have a view on Richter with DFD in a DG selection of the Morike lieder? I have very mixed views on it: it was how I first made contact with the Morike lieder as a student, though even then I had to try very hard to like DFD's style. But the greatness of these songs somehow came across. Must give the LP a spin sometime... Maybe somehow I'll get to like that voice and style...(?).

[JohnSkelton]

Hmm. I have an Orfeo Wolf recital with D-FD and Richter from Salzburg, but it's of settings of Goethe. And I've not played it in years ... thinking more about this I have a strong preference for his recordings up to the late 60s - the manner is less set. Be very interested to know what you make of the DG lp (has it made it to CD? I'd have thought it would).

[LeMartinPecheur]

Hmm. I have an Orfeo Wolf recital with D-FD and Richter from Salzburg, but it's of settings of Goethe. And I've not played it in years ... thinking more about this I have a strong preference for his recordings up to the late 60s - the manner is less set. Be very interested to know what you make of the DG lp (has it made it to CD? I'd have thought it would).

JS: it has been issued on CD though you need to be a bit affluent to afford it now http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...+richter&ajr=0

[Barbirollians]

The recent Pappano programme made me reconsider my attitude to DFD . The Mahler recording with Furtwangler I really liked but it was the first record of his I had . The next were his DG Schubert records on Walkman cassettes . I did not like his voice at all on those records and later records seemed to confirm my dislike of his barking .

The recordings that Pappano showcased seemed to reveal a much more beautiful voice . I have since bought his GROC 1961 Schone Mullerin and that I have been rather blown away by - the sensitivity to the text and the dramatic nature of his singing coupled with a much fresher voice and also perhaps with less dramatic acting of the part . Wonderful performance