Dichterliebe
Robert Schumann
Gérard Souzay, Dalton Baldwin
1960Top choice. The 'dreamy quality' of French chanson 'really goes well with this song cycle.' It's an 'inward, very, very flexible interpretation,' and Souzay 'really knew how to vary the mood and color the tone'.
Fritz Wunderlich, Hubert Giesen
1965An all-time classic and a great first version. 'Gorgeously seductive,' very heartfelt, and passionate. 'Just so palpably sung and felt... an irreplaceable version.' Beautifully recorded.
Peter Pears, Benjamin Britten
1963The main selling point is the 'artistry... from both these artists.' Everything is 'really just thought through,' both the drama and the poignant sections, in this 'proverbial romantic work.' Wonderfully recorded.
Christian Gerhaher, Gerold Huber
2004A newer version. 'A little bit more of a reserved version, very artistically intelligent and probing,' especially in the hushed sections. He 'really utilizes his tone to portray the emotions' in an 'eloquent way.' Beautiful sounding.
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Jörg Demus
1957An earlier recording where Fischer-Dieskau 'reigns it in a little bit better.' 'Consummate artistry and the bedrock of beautiful tone' with his trademark 'dramatic inflection' ('Ich grölle nicht' is very intense).
Aksel Schiøtz, Gerald Moore
1946 Mono recording.A pre-stereo classic. Schiøtz's 'honeyed, seductive tone... just sounds tailor-made' for this cycle. 'Just earnest expressiveness, very heartfelt,' and a 'gorgeous tone' that comes through the fuzzy sound.
Gerhard Hüsch, Hans-Udo Müller
1936 Mono recording.From the German Lieder specialist. 'Consummate artistry' with a rich, thick, operatic baritone sound. 'Very intense' ('Ich grölle nicht') and 'infused with emotion'.
Charles Panzéra, Alfred Cortot
1930s Mono recording (Dutton transfer).A classic version from two 'romantic spirits' (Panzéra and Schumann specialist Cortot). It's a 'romantic treatment' with a 'variety of colors and expression.' The 'wistful, dreamy character and tone' make this irreplaceable.