Thomas Quasthoff

[TheOverman]

I recently obtained a copy of Thomas Quasthoff's Dichterliebe, and was astounded by his soaring vocals, and the impeccable phrasing.  Not too long after, I got another copy of Dichterliebe, this time with Goerne & Ashkenazy. While I enjoyed Goerne's pipes, I thought the phrasing was off a bit - to my ears it simply didn't flow, and wasn't nearly as gripping as Quasthoff's.

In any event, I was looking to pick up more Quasthoff - any specific recommendations would be appreciated, be it song cycle or opera.


Thanks!

[knight66]

I think that Quasthoff is a really great singer. I don't happen to have a lot of his discs, but I recommend the following.



This is a fascinating disc of Schubert filtered through the pens of other composers who loved his work and the 20 songs on this disc have been orchestrated by the likes of Berlioz, Reger, Webern and Brahms. Quasthoff has a beautiful voice, he brings a lot of humanity to everything that he sings.

RCA have a 'portrait' disc,



There is some Schubert here as well, but as originally written, including Der Zwerg. Schumann, Bach an aria from Fidelio and a good number of Mozart. I think his Sarastro is as good as it gets. Those arias can so often sound pompous. Here Quasthoff provides real expression and of course a beautiful legato.

Finally, I have a disc that has been extracted from a number of Hanssler discs of Bach and Handel arias. I am not taken with his Messiah arias, but the Bach is all first rate.

Mike

[Sergeant Rock]

If you're a Mahler fan...or even if you're not...this is a must-have Quasthoff recording:



He sings Lieder eines farhenden Gesellen. He and Boulez almost make me forget Fischer-Dieskau and Furtwängler!

Sarge

[Brünnhilde forever]

Another good one is this with Christian Thielemann conducting:

http://www.amazon.com/Evening-Star-German-Opera-Arias/dp/B00005YS1Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1231650222&sr=1-1

It has the great scene from Lortzing's Der Zar und Zimmermann: Heil sei der Tag. . . .; it shows us the humorous side of Quasthoff.

[Lethevich]

If you're a Mahler fan...or even if you're not...this is a must-have Quasthoff recording:

I think I saw him sing Mahler at the proms, or some other concert on TV, and he was indeed brilliant.

[Renfield]

I'm certain I've heard him sing, and was highly impressed. What it is I heard him sing, however, I cannot presently remember.

[Sergeant Rock]

I think I saw him sing Mahler at the proms, or some other concert on TV, and he was indeed brilliant.

Indeed. We were just a few feet away when he sang the Wayfarer songs at the Philharmonie in Berlin, Easter weekend 2007: a well-deserved standing ovation:




Sarge

[Anne]

Sarge,

Would you mind posting a picture of the Mahler F-D/Furtwangler CD you were referencing?  I have looked at several online stores like amazon.com - and don't find a clear match with your words.  I would be much obliged. Thanks

[Sergeant Rock]

Sarge,

Would you mind posting a picture of the Mahler F-D/Furtwangler CD you were referencing?

Hey, Anne. This is the CD I own:



I bought it in the late 80s. It includes the Wayfarer Songs, Kindertotenlieder (with Kempe and the Berlin Phil) and the piano version of the Rückertlieder (with Barenboim). It's offered at Amazon.de But there's a newer version, too, at midprice, which includes five Wunderhorn songs:



Available from Amazon.com

Sarge

[Anne]

Hey, Anne. This is the CD I own:



I bought it in the late 80s. It includes the Wayfarer Songs, Kindertotenlieder (with Kempe and the Berlin Phil) and the piano version of the Rückertlieder (with Barenboim). It's offered at Amazon.de But there's a newer version, too, at midprice, which includes five Wunderhorn songs:



Available from Amazon.com

Sarge

Thanks, Sarge!  With the name Furtwangler I did not want to miss any that he conducted.

[Ciel_Rouge]

I recently discovered Quasthoff while looking for a good Winterreise (I found Quasthoff/Barenboim). The Mahler one with Boulez and von Otter is also absolutely amazing. However, I think he is better for romantic arias as I did not really go crazy about his Mozart on Netrebko's Mozart Album.

[Maciek]

Has anyone read his autobiography?

[zamyrabyrd]

He seems like an excellent singing teacher from a clip I saw on TV.

ZB

[MishaK]

Had the pleasure of hearing TQ live a couple of times in Mahler. Unforgettable. What a voice. I don't think I have ever imagined let alone seen or heard anyone sing "Ich hab' ein glühend' Messer" with that intensity nor the profound sense of loss he managed to convey in the Kindertotenlieder.

[mc ukrneal]

I only just read that Quasthoff has decided to stop giving public performances ('say farewell to the concert stage) due to health issues. I had not realized he had health problems that might force him to stop. I enjoy his voice quite a bit. More here: http://www.thomas-quasthoff.com/lang/en

[North Star]

I read about the health problems and stopping in a Finnish CM magazine some time ago, sad business

This is a great disc, btw (as is the one with von Otter, too)
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[mc ukrneal]

I read about the health problems and stopping in a Finnish CM magazine some time ago, sad business

This is a great disc, btw (as is the one with von Otter, too)
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Put on my wishlist. The one with Otter is at Berkshire (if anyone else is interested).