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Discussion: Schubert: Winterreise - Peter Harvey, Gary Cooper

Posts: 5

Post by Chris October 22, 2010 (1 of 5)
With Sweden now not only under dark clouds,but also under a fresh cover of snow. Schubert's Winterreise arrives timely.
This new release from Linn with baryton Peter Harvey on top form, even challenges Dietrich Fisher Dieskau IMHO.
Not only is his voice perfect for these bleak songs, his German is also flawless. Gary Cooper playing a Fortepiano is somewhat more difficult to adjust to for someone like me who has come to love this great music played on a grand piano. But it is nonetheless the most exciting new release I have heard since my return from the sunny Mediterranean.
And I am already after two hearings gradually adjusting to the the "thinner", but interesting sonorities Gary Cooper conjures from his instrument.

Recommended.

Post by Ubertrout October 22, 2010 (2 of 5)
I was just pondering that it's bizarre that there's not more Schubert Leider on SACD. I'm definitely interested in this.

Post by Chris October 22, 2010 (3 of 5)
Ubertrout said:

I was just pondering that it's bizarre that there's not more Schubert Leider on SACD. I'm definitely interested in this.

Ja leider wenig Lieder.
Sorry couldn't resist it. No offence. I make plenty of mistakes myself. But still couldn't resist this response.
Back on Topic. You do know that 2L just released two stunningly good "Lieder" SACDs, don't you?

I am thinking of the titles Romanza and Come Away, Death.Both listed and reviewed here.
Regards Chris

Post by Beagle November 15, 2010 (4 of 5)
I am not deeply knowledgeable on the topic of Lieder. Nonetheless, I have quite enjoyed the ängst of Schubert’s loser-mentality heroes for decades, and therefore anticipated much pleasure from hearing them on SACD.

On first listening, I find myself delighted by Gary Cooper’s nuancing of the minimalist piano accompaniment but irritated by Peter Harvey’s declamation of the lyrics. I have no problem with Harvey’s baritone voice but he seems to have two volume settings: soft and LOUD, so that sound production substitutes for emotion in a number of these twenty-four little pieces. Although I rather like his spirited rendition of Rückblick, the helter-skelter pace seems to fast for his diction (perhaps he should have been ‘miked’ closer).

These are first impressions; I’ll write more if I find myself warming more to this disc.

Post by hiredfox February 3, 2011 (5 of 5)
Well, well! Having been trashed by BBC Music magazine, now Gramophone comes out in support of Peter Harvey's recording and gives it a decent rating although not quite an Ed's Choisce or Disc of the Month.

What to do??? Plenty of famously good RBCDs around but no comparable SACD still.

Closed