Ian Bostridge & Julius Drake – Schubert 4 – Wigmore Hall Live (2018) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Ian Bostridge, ‘one of the world’s great lieder tenors’ The Telegraph, praised for his sensitive and distinctive performances, is joined once more by Julius Drake as they continue to explore the genius of Schubert’s songs. From the strikingly dramatic ballad ‘Der Zwerg’ to the melancholic tenderness of ‘An Den Mond’, the duo examine the emotions of every word and every note in this delicately curated programme, recorded live at Wigmore Hall, London, on 16 May 2015.

This fourth volume of the Lieder was recorded in concert on 16 May 2015 at the famous Wigmore Hall, a veritable temple of chamber music in London built by the German piano maker Bechstein. It takes us on a journey with the romantic Wanderer of the dramatic ballad Der Zwerg (The Dwarf) with the melancholy tenderness of An den Mond, the moon which is so inseparable from German romanticism, by turns baleful and benevolent. With time, Ian Bostridge’s voice has deepened almost to a baritone, but he still retains that heart-rending interpretation, a unique blend of sophistication, pure poetry, and revolt. On the piano, Julius Drake offers much more than just accompaniment: he is a wholly equal partner, in a close dialogue with the singer’s every gesture. He is also a music teacher at London’s Royal College of Music, festival director and with the many lyrical artists who normally partner with him, he arranges Lieder concerts for Wigmore Hall, the BBC and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. This new volume offers confirmation, were it needed, that Ian Bostridge is one of the greatest performers of Lieder active today. His performances are increasingly intense, and they constantly push at the limits of this repertoire, like the Erlkönig (The Erl-King) which flirts with the expressionism of a young Schönberg. An audacious performance, which eloquently underlines the continuity that runs through art, and in particular through music. – François Hudry

Tracklist:
Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828)
01. Wehmut, D.772
02. Der Zwerg, D.771
03. Nacht und Träume, D.827
04. Der Musensohn, D.764
05. An die Entfernte, D.765
06. Am Fluße, D.766
07. Willkommen und Abschied, D.767
08. Wandrers Nachtlied II, D.768
09. An die Leier, D.737
10. Am See, D.746
11. Im Haine, D.738
12. Erlkönig, D.328
13. An den Mond, D.259
14. Nähe des Geliebten, D.162
15. Nachtgesang, D.119
16. Liebhaber in allen Gestalten, D.558
17. Meeres Stille, D.216
18. Auf dem See, D.543
19. An Mignon, D.161
20. Erster Verlust, D.226
21. Ganymed, D.544
22. An den Mond, D.296