What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XI)
Posted by: Richard Dane on 31 December 2014
On the cusp of 2015, we start a new thread...
Anyway, links:
Volume X: https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...-be-interested-vol-x
Volume IX: https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...16#22826037054683416
Volume VIII: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...nt/12970396056050819
Volume VII: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...6878604287751/page/1
Volume VI: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878604097229
Volume V: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878605140495
Volume IV: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878605795042
Volume III: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878607309474
Volume II: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878606245043
Volume I: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878607464290
My first recording of Winterreise, haven't listened to this in years (the bane of a large collection I guess...).
EJ
I've a Schrier/Richter set and whilst I admire Richter's icy whispering piano, can't get warmed up to Schrier's tone and delivery.
Originally Posted by Bert:
Other favourites:
1962 Dietrich Fisher-Diskau & Gerald Moore - the great Master for so many followers
1988 Carl-Heinz Müller & his wife Helle - great harmony
1988 Olaf Bär & Parsons - beautiful bass voice, bit slow & formal.
2001 Christian Gerhaher & Huber - kind, humble, very human, warm piano sound
Any other recommendations?
I also love 1962 Fisher-Diaskau/Moore set.
Another of my fave is Gerard Souzay/Dalon Baldwin set.
He's got really nice intimate feel and less theatrical drama more soulful. This set gets the right sense of doom and despair yearning for the next life. He sounds tired and ready to surrender. Piano is utterly self effacing. Less polished and sparce rendition but I find it effective. Comparatively it is slightly more urgent than '62 Dieskau/Moore.
I am admiring his Ravel pieces all over again.
I've a Schrier/Richter set and whilst I admire Richter's icy whispering piano, can't get warmed up to Schrier's tone and delivery.
You're too kind, Kuma. Schreier's hectoring, the coughs and rough editing reduce the experience for me.
EJ
Started to work my way through the famous Winterreise written in 1827 by Franz Schubert, probably the most famous cycle of Deutsche Lieder. Although the 24 songs are simple in form, there is a incredible depth and sorrowness in this music.
For weeks I have been listening to versions, and I agree with other's on this forum that it takes time to fully comprehend. It helps if you understand German 
Anyway, Spotify allowed me to compare dozens of versions, and it's like with Bach's Matthaus Passion: there is no perfect version. All have their strength's and weaknesses.
My current favourite is from Peter Schreir & Andras Schiff (1991)
A fantastic tenor with a beautiful voice and perfect technique, accompanied by such a delicately playing Andras Schiff. Songs like Wasserflut, Auf dem Flusse, Irrlicht, Frühlingstraum, Einsamkeit, but especially Der Wegweiser (those last notes....) and the last 2 songs are so moving.....
Absolutely brilliant.
Other favourites:
1962 Dietrich Fisher-Diskau & Gerald Moore - the great Master for so many followers
1988 Carl-Heinz Müller & his wife Helle - great harmony
1988 Olaf Bär & Parsons - beautiful bass voice, bit slow & formal.
2001 Christian Gerhaher & Huber - kind, humble, very human, warm piano sound
Any other recommendations?
My own favs:
Florian Boesch & Malcolm Martineau (onyx) - one of a kind intense performance
Brigitte Fassbaender & Aribert Reimann (emi) - another one of a kind intense performance
Thomas Hampson & Wolfgang Sawallisch (emi) - operatic and suave, very well sung
Ian Bostridge & Leif Ove Andsnes (emi) - heavily inflected, but superbly done
Robert Holl & Naum Grubert (challenge) - taking a cue from Hans Hotter, Holl presents this as reading a story underpinned by his solid bass-baritone
Matthias Goerne & Christoph Eschenbach (hm) - his third recording finds Goerne at last nailing this work, and is in many ways a synthesis between his first (beautiful but undersung) and second (larger than life) recordings
and this one, Schreier & Schiff
No point of including DFD - there's no getting around him, he's sort of always there whoever's singing. Among DFD's many versions, agree with you all on his second, the '62 emi recording, or alternatively the one that followed for DG.
EJ
Tonights listening.
This and Gaye's both awesome records!
I know it is expensive but try and get your hands on the hybrid sacd MFSL disc of this as for SQ it's stunning.
This is version I have...
Not probably that well known here but has been writing hits for major Nashville stars for years.
This video gives you an idea of how good this guy is.
To get the day going, various Debussy by various artists, recorded in 1995
Sample trax off the up and coming album.
Streaming | 16/44.1 FLAC [Bandcamp] Download
Dirtwire ~ The Carrier (2014) an EP
A band that I am really getting into. I'm not quite sure how to categorise or tag their music, for me it's a sort of americana/swamp/electronic/acoustic banjo/blues type of thing... that works really well.
You can sample the track "The Well" from this album here:
John Southworth "Niagra"
This was mentioned on another forum today. It is available on Spotify Premium (US). A singer-songwriter that is new to me. Most enjoyable.
Mr. Fjeld - you are having what I consider a near perfect day. Thanks for sharing it. I am making a playlist of your selections and will listen to them tomorrow.
Thanks Jeff! It was indeed a perfect day. I will check out John Southworth as well. Quite a few tips to be found around here!
Streaming | 16/44.1 FLAC [Bandcamp] Download
Dirtwire ~ Dirtwire (2012)
More of the same, this one an earlier full length album, I forgot to mention slide guitars, fiddles, world music etc. etc. before, !
Tonights listening.
This and Gaye's both awesome records!
I know it is expensive but try and get your hands on the hybrid sacd MFSL disc of this as for SQ it's stunning.
Thank you Ewemon! I believe it has to be stunning as the first Stax vinyl was. I have somewhere the 1987 CD always on Stax. Meanwhile i ordered Shaft and Gaye's What's going on. Can't find my copy anymore..... 
Streaming | Streaming CD FLAC rip
Alison Krauss & Grand Union Station ~ Paper Airplane (2011)
Just because I am making up for lost time (never previously having played her music).
This album has everything in it , i believe only 500 pressings on vinyl, a bargain at 15 quid!