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Two valedictory sets of songs feature on this disc from the German baritone Thomas Quasthoff. Brahms's aptly named
Four Serious Songs date from the year before his death and find him at his most Teutonic, setting stern words from the Bible. But there are unexpected beauties within--have a listen to track 17, from about 1:17 onwards, and discover that he's more of a charmer than he's often given credit for. Quasthoff and pianist Justus Zeyen demonstrate a true meeting of minds in this highly persuasive reading. But it's
Schwanengesang that is the real buying-point here. Quasthoff has chosen to take the songs in published order, which is not necessarily the done thing these days. It's a less searing reading than those of, say,
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau or
Brigitte Fassbaender, lacking the voice-cracking edginess that they favour in the more violent songs, such as "Der Atlas" and "Der Doppelganger". As a result, Quasthoff's version of events sounds more of a piece than in some readings, with the final song, "Die Taubenpost" (Pigeon Post), chirruping away merrily without seeming the disastrous faux pas that it can so easily be, coming as it does directly after the impassioned Heine settings. Here is, in short, a reading to rate alongside the best--to be listened to regularly and with ever increasing pleasure. If you want a taster, just try "Am Meer" (By the Sea) on track 12 and see if you aren't mesmerised. --
Harriet Smith
