Franz Schubert - Winterreise (Peter Schreier; Sviatoslav Richter)

Information

Composer: Franz Schubert

• Winterreise, D. 911
• Piano Sonata No. 15 in C major, D. 840

Peter Schreier, tenor

Sviatoslav Richter, piano

Date: 1985, 1979

Label: Philips

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Review

I had great expectations of this issue, and on the whole they have been amply fulfilled. As one might expect the performance is highly individual, two very special interpreters giving us a totally gripping, positive account of a cycle that has recently received some rather too careful readings. Schreier and Richter conceive the work in almost a solid span of concentration and that is how it should be, helped by being caught at a live performance.

Perhaps under Richter's influence, tempos are inclined to be extreme, the first song, ''Einsamkeit'', and ''Wegweiser'', for instance, being taken more slowly than usual, ''Die Krahe'' and ''Letzte Hoffnung'', among others, rather quicker—indeed, these two form part of a group, songs 15 to 19, that these artists present as a single utterance. Then both are intent on a linear approach, the tenor taking many phrases in a single breath that other singers are inclined to break. But, paradoxically, Schrier can at the same time add a kind of emotional force to such phrases as ''meiner Liebsten Haus'' in ''Wasserflut'' or ''So elend nicht'' in ''Einsamkeit'' that give them a very particular and literally outstanding intensity. Throughout one is aware of the vivid immediacy and broad romantic freedom of this reading. It won't please those who seek a more restrained, perhaps more authentic version. They can look to Haefliger (Claves) and his fortepiano, or to the classically-minded Wilson-Johnson (Hyperion), but those who appreciate Fischer-Dieskau (on an HMV set of the song-cycles—SLS840, 2/76), but aren't entirely enamoured of the occasional bulge in his tone or forcing of it, will want to try Schreier, particularly when he has an accompanist who can so magisterially evoke the many onomatopoeic effects in the piano parts, or make one look at a figure anew through the clarity of his articulation.

This issue arrived too late in the time allotted for reviewing this month to savour all its many subtleties, yet I am certain it is going to be an interpretation of lasting value to be enjoyed at leisure. But it has one major drawback that may be even more obvious on CD (which, incidentally, is coupled with the Sonata, D840 reviewed on page 1050): the cold February weather in Dresden causes the audience to cough incessantly, and too often at pregnant pauses, so that anyone who is worried by that will have to remain with Fischer-Dieskau and Moore. I am willing to put up with the disturbance for the pleasure of being, as it were, present on such a memorable occasion.

-- Alan Blyth, Gramophone

More reviews:

https://www.classical-music.com/reissues/schubert-96

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/Nov09/Schubert_winterreise_4781714.htm

https://www.amazon.com/Schubert-Winterreise-Peter-Schreier/dp/B000009LJT

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Franz Schubert (31 January 1797 – 19 November 1828) was an Austrian composer who was extremely prolific during his short lifetime. His output consists of over six hundred secular vocal works (mainly Lieder), seven complete symphonies, sacred music, operas, incidental music and a large body of chamber and piano music. Today, Schubert is ranked among the greatest composers of the late Classical era and early Romantic era and is one of the most frequently performed composers of the early nineteenth century. His music is characterized by pleasing tunes while still has "a great wealth of technical finesse".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Schubert

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Peter Schreier (29 July 1935 – 25 December 2019) was a German tenor in opera, concert and lied, and a conductor. Regarded as one of the leading lyric tenors of the 20th century, Schreier was one of few singers from the German Democratic Republic to perform internationally, including at the Metropolitan Opera. From the early 1970s, he was also a conductor with a special interest in the works of Mozart, Bach, and Haydn. Schreier made many recordings, especially of Bach's works as both a singer and a conductor, as well as many lieder including the song cycles by Schubert and Schumann. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Schreier

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Sviatoslav Richter (March 20 [O.S. March 7] 1915 – August 1, 1997) was a Soviet pianist known for the depth of his interpretations, virtuoso technique, and vast repertoire. He is considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. Richter worked tirelessly to learn new pieces. His vast repertoire, around eighty different programs, not counting chamber works, ranged from Handel and Bach to Szymanowski, Berg, Webern, Stravinsky, Bartók, Hindemith, Britten, and Gershwin. Despite his large discography, Richter disliked the recording process, and most of Richter's recordings originate from live performances.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sviatoslav_Richter

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