This is Ian Bostridge at his very level best singing his beloved Schubert with great distinction and impressive alacrity. He is accompanied by the indefatigable Leif Ove Andsnes who is another great exponent of Schubert's music especially in those quit piano parts which are so unbelievably expressive and ravishingly beautiful.
There are several songs which touch the heart almost immediately, most notably "Der wanderer", "An die Musik" and the ravishing "Im Walde", all full of that incredible longing which is so typical of Schubert. "Gesänge des Hafners" is another rather overlooked work which is here brought quite magnificently to life by the Bostridge/Andsnes partnership.
The second disc contains works that are perhaps not so famous such as "An die laute", "Lebensmut" and a smattering of unfinished Allegrettos which sound well enough just the same. But it would b rather nitpicking if one had to discuss each and every individual song as the music is there t be heard in all its glorious entirety. One small snag is the thickness of the booklet that makes it difficult to extract it from the CD case without damaging it. Otherwise, the double album is a thorough feast for the ears.
Copyright © 2008 by Gerald Fenech