Giesen

Uncritical admiration is appropriate for these Schubert Lieder, where no forcing, no technical difficulties, not even a single spoiled note are to be found. It is not possible to perform Die schöne Müllerin and the other songs more heartily, more expressively than Fritz Wunderlich and his congenial, subtle accompanist Hubert Giesen do and, fortunately, will be able to do again and again, on these two records that every music lover will have to listen to stirringly.

Despite his premature death at age 35, Fritz Wunderlich was one of the great lyric tenors of the century, equally at home with Mozart's Magic Flute and Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde. Why, then, does Schubert's great song cycle about disappointed love so often elude him? Though he brings his usual vocal splendor and gratifying lyricism to the music in ways that few tenors can dream of, both Wunderlich and his accompanist have a strangely club-footed sense of rhythm. What should often be an intimate expression is extroverted and even labored. – David Patrick Stearns

This seventh volume in the series 'Fritz Wunderlich – The SWR Recordings' focuses on the singer's legacy of lieder, which he began performing early in his career. Wunderlich's performance of Schumann's Dichterliebe, recorded live at the 1965 Schwetzingen Festival, was considered by the singer himself to be one of his best interpretations ever. The pianist was Hubert Giesen, one of the most distinguished accompanists of his era. He worked closely with Wunderlich, who was already an international star at the time. This compilation provides a unique overview of Wunderlich's lieder performances – from the start of his career until his tragic and untimely death.