Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

September 8, 2005 10:14 AM

The Song and the SingerFor many he is the greatest Lieder singer of the 20th century. As he turns 80, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau reflects on his long career.
posted by matteo (7 comments total)

'It is the start of the final episode'

"He had only to sing one phrase," his frequent accompanist Gerald Moore wrote in his memoirs, "before I knew I was in the presence of a master." Sviatoslav Richter, who accompanied him too, was in no doubt either: Fischer-Dieskau was "the greatest of 20th-century singers", the Russian pianist wrote in his notebooks. John Steane, most probing and unsentimental of all critics, threw up his hands after listening to Fischer-Dieskau and, quoting Dryden on Chaucer, simply concluded: "Here is God's plenty." The writer John Amis concluded that Fischer-Dieskau is "a miracle and that is just about all there is to be said about it".

"I am hard to please," Fischer-Dieskau admits. He thinks "much is being lost about the good ways of making music", and regrets the decline of "true legato singing" - a charge that critics occasionally made against his own performances. "When you have something to say in music the phrases must be clear - the beginning, the climax, and the ending."

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Golden Cords

and, five years ago: As if by magic
posted by matteo at 10:19 AM on September 8, 2005

He also is the compiler of a very nice book of Lieder lyrics, which would be a great resource not only for fans/performers of classical music but also for any student of German language or literature.
posted by matildaben at 10:24 AM on September 8, 2005

Let's link to a great singer most people haven't heard of... but none of his works!

Hah. Bring on the music!
posted by insomnia_lj at 2:27 PM on September 8, 2005

are those works, like, in the public domain?
posted by matteo at 2:47 PM on September 8, 2005

Oh, and while I was searching for performances by Fischer-Dieskau, I came upon this collection of classical music sites where you can download numerous great performances. Just this link alone is droolworthy enough for a FPP.

D00d, w4r3z! Those Dutch get all the good stuff for free... !
posted by insomnia_lj at 2:53 PM on September 8, 2005

They're all old recordings from the 50's, but public domain? Where? U.S., Germany, Italy, China, or Russia?

If it's not legal for you to download it, feel free not to.
posted by insomnia_lj at 2:56 PM on September 8, 2005

Thanks for the post. Lieder? Eh. But his Wozzeck literally raises the hairs on the back of my neck.
posted by Wolfdog at 3:24 PM on September 8, 2005