Strauss, R - Lieder

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Customer reviews

review by: johnpandrews date: 2008-05-17 rating:
A beautiful new voice.
This voice is new to me. It is certainly something special. It is a huge voice (so far as one can judge from a recording), not Italianate but with brilliance and power at the top. Given its size, Kaufmann handles his voice with exemplary technique and artistry - shading the volume down to a whisper when necessary and finding tenderness one wouldn't expect in a heldentenor. This repertoire (the songs are so beautiful) requires sensitivity and delicacy and Kaufmann has these in abundance as well as passion and a feel for the text that helps him to communicate very directly. When he opens his voice up, hairs stand up on the back of the head - it reminds me of Vickers or Melchior in its power and thrust. My only reservation is a "whiteness" - a loss of colour - when he sings very quietly which may be the recording, although in all other resepects it is excellent. Worth mentioning is the superb accompanist - matching Kaufmann in artistry and dedication.

This is a well-filled CD with a mixture of the very familiar (Befreit, Cacilie, Morgen, Ruhe, Meine Seele - real highlights, all)with some lesser-known songs. It has given me the greatest pleasure and I think it will do the same for any lover of Strauss or the human voice. Kaufmann's name will, I believe on the basis of hearing this CD, enter the annals of the great voices of our age.




review by: date: 2007-01-10 rating:
He is the best!
He is one of the most beautiful tenors who is brave enough to tackle Strauss's orchestral songs. The voice is absolutely in top form, crystal clear and syrupy. The whole album is so wonderfully romantic. You want to hear this voice more and more everytime you listen. Just listen to track No. 10 "Morgen (Tomorrow)", you will see what it feels like. It's beautiful piano arrangment and Kaufmann's haunting and longing voice leave you breathless. Stauss's songs were mostly written for sopranos but Kaufmann pull it off so well and each track does the justice. If you love art songs and Strauss's romantic songs, this album with beautiful 28 songs is highly recommended.

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