"Duette, Terzette, Quartette : Ameling, J.Baker, Schreier, Laubenthal, F-Dieskau, G.Moore (2CD)"

Schubert: Duette, Terzette, Quartette

Elly Ameling (soprano), Dame Janet Baker (mezzo)
Peter Schreier, Horst Laubenthal (tenors)
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone), Gerald Moore (piano), Rias Kammerchor

Punschlied D277 (Schiller)
Cantate zum Geburtstag des Sangers Michael Vogl D666 (Stadler)
Gutigster, Bester, Weisester, D441
Verschwunden sind die Schmerzen, D88
Trinklied D148 (Castelli)
Der Tanz D826 (Meerau?)
Schicksalslenker, blicke nieder, D763
Hymne an den Unendichen D232 (Schiller)
An die Sonne D439 (Uz)
Nun last uns den Leib begraben (Begrabnis-Lied), D168
Gott im Ungewitter, D985
Gott der Weltschopfer D986 (Uz)
Die Geselligkeit (Lebenslust) D609 (Unger)
Gebet (Du Urquell aller gute) D815 (Fouque)
Hermann und Thusnelda D322 (Klopstock)
Antigone und Oedip D542 (Mayrhofer)
Cronnan D282 ('Ossian')
Sing-Ubungen D619 (Wordless)
Sekna und Selmar D286b (Klopstock)
Licht und Liebe D352 (Collin)
Hektors Abscheid, D312
Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt, D877/4
Szene aus Faust D126 (Goethe)
Die Befreier Europas in Paris, D104 (Mikan)
Die Advokaten, D37

Schubert's reputation as a composer of solo lieder has tended to overshadow the works for two of more voices that he composed from the age of 14 to his last years. Some of these works includes four voices and choir, and they fall in to the category of domestic music making. The earliest date from his years as a pupil of Antonio Salieri, and may well have been intended as study works, others, such as the scena 'Antigone und Oedipe' D542 of 1817 was probably composed for friends, and is quite demanding of the performers.

The singers on these CDs represent some of the very best Schubert interpreters of the period - and the recordings date from 1973. The accompanist is the incomparable Gerald Moore.

- Recording made in 1973
- Booklet notes
- 'They are expert duettists [Baker and Fischer-Dieskau], having sung together on other occasions and in other media; the result, with the ever-faithful, ever-skilful Gerald Moore, is all that one might expect' Gramophone June 1973 review ( Brilliant Classics )