Barnes & Noble

Although we'd never underrate the charming songs of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, full credit must go to Franz Schubert for single-handedly forging the lied (German for "song") into an art form in its own right. He was just 18 when he wrote "Erlkönig," based on a poem by Goethe, and created a melodrama so intense that its highly-concentrated communicative power remains undiminished some two hundred years later. Interpreting a Schubert lied like "Erlkönig" requires an singer of uncommon intelligence and imagination; having a pretty voice is not enough. The Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel has the vocal muscle, but he also knows how to convey the essence of a song so that it goes straight to the heart. For this 70-minute program, Terfel sings 23 of Schubert's best-known lieder, spanning the composer's all-too-brief career: from the early "Schäfers Klagelied" ("Shepherd's Lament) to the dark, deep songs from "Schwanengesang" ("Swan Song"), a collection written in the composer's last year. Terfel's artistry makes this disc the perfect introduction to Schubert's songs. And when you get hooked, there are hundreds more to explore. Andrew Farach-Colton

All Music Guide

In Deutsche Grammophon's reissue of its 1994 recital of Schubert lieder, baritone Bryn Terfel is in absolutely top-notch form. He is completely secure in his technique, and his voice is effortlessly full and rich throughout his range. The selection of songs gives him the opportunity to express a broad range of moods, from the dread of "Gruppe aus dem Tartare" to the serenity of "Du bist die Ruh" to the exuberance of "Die Forelle." One of Terfel's greatest strengths is his ability to color his voice without altering its purity, an attribute that makes his "Erlkönig" harrowing and heartbreaking. There's not a weak moment in the recital; Terfel's readings are expressively exuberant, but mature, and consistently get at the emotional core of the songs. Pianist Malcolm Martineau provides a nuanced and supple accompaniment and showcases the piano's role in creating the songs' magic. Deutsche Grammophon's sound is present and clean, with excellent balance between the voice and piano. The variety of songs makes this collection an ideal introduction to Schubert's lieder for listeners new to the breadth of his genius, and the beauty of Terfel's voice and the depth of his interpretations offer much to listeners for whom these songs are old friends. Stephen Eddins