Christian Gerhaher - best of his generation?

[verismissimo]

For several months now I've been sitting on a CD of the German baritone Christian Gerhaher (with Gerold Huber) singing Schubert, Brahms and Martin. Got around to listening to it this morning.

What a great artist he is. (Real control of his vibrato for one thing.)

I've previously much enjoyed his Mahler. What else should I go for?

[gurnemanz]

I can recommend his Schumann recital "Melancolie". (Seriously rampant hair + designer stubble). A song like "Auf einer Burg" from the Op 39 Liederkries with the weeping bride at the end illustrates the control you mention. We have only seen him once live but that was his marvellous Wolfram in the recent ROH Tannhäuser. Wigmore recitals tend to be sold out very quickly but we hope to get there eventually.

You can certainly make a case for "best of his generation", even given strong rivals such as Dietrich Henschel and Stefan Genz. Matthias Goerne would definitely be another candidate. Quite different but I very much like Bryn Terfel's Schumann Lieder disc with Malcolm Martineau. Quasthoff has only just retired and Wolfgang Holzmair is still in good form at 70. We saw him doing Mahler with Imogen Cooper just the other week. Is Olaf Bär is still active?

[Karafan]

"Abendbilder" is very fine. I agree with Gurnemanz about the cover art on Melancholie - he looks more like Kramer from Seinfeld, than his old self!

In terms of artistry he is excellent, though he does not displace the superb tenor Jonas Kaufmann in my affections.....his recently-recommended (BaL) Richard Strauss lieder disc is phenomenal.

[amateur51]

Wolfgang Holzmair is still in good form at 70. We saw him doing Mahler with Imogen Cooper just the other week. Is Olaf Bär is still active?

I had no idea that Holzmair was that age

I was thinking the same question about Bär only the other day

[Prommer]

I am rather ignorant of his leider singing, but I can assure you that his Wolfram in the Royal Opera Tannhauser a couple of years ago was absolutely STUNNING. He held everyone absolutely rapt, just beautiful, with wonderful artistry and presence.

[gurnemanz]

I had no idea that Holzmair was that age

I was thinking the same question about Bär only the other day

Sorry, going a bit dotty, I was quite wrong. He was born 1952, not 1942.

[mathias broucek]

Quasthoff has only just retired

I'll never forget hearing him singing Elijah at the Musikvereinsaal. How does he get such great sound when his "core" is so twisted?

[amateur51]

Sorry, going a bit dotty, I was quite wrong. He was born 1952, not 1942.

Happens to me all the time, gurnemanz

[gradus]

Gurnemanz thank you for suggesting Gerhaher's Schumann disc, it makes an illuminating comparison with Terfel's for whom i share your enthusiasm. Is there a more atmospheric song in all Schumann's output than Auf einer Burg and the contrast between these these two great singers is fascinating. If I prefer Terfel it is only personal preference since it was his recording that introduced me to the song - it is technically extraordinary singing with amazing control in the final bars and a beautiful line throughout, great playing by Martineau too. But what a song!

[Stephen Smith]

I am rather ignorant of his leider singing, but I can assure you that his Wolfram in the Royal Opera Tannhauser a couple of years ago was absolutely STUNNING. He held everyone absolutely rapt, just beautiful, with wonderful artistry and presence.

Seconded. Unfortunately I don't speak German, but it sounded wonderful expression, and yes the artistry was superb. I must become a Wigmore H friend - just to get tickets for a recital. He's on the BBC Magazine "War Requiem" recording -Edinburgh - I must get that issue (think, per the thread its currently on sale.....)