GREAT RECORDINGS phase 13

SCHUBERT: 15 LIEDER
Christa Ludwig
Geoffrey Parsons, Gervase de
Peyer & Gerald Moore

5 62896 2
(Angel: 5 62897 2)

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'I cannot strongly enough recommend this example of perfect Lieder singing, word and tone, and piano accompanying (Geoffrey Parsons is the perfect partner) of some of the finest songs ever composed. It is a joy from start to finish.' (Gramophone)

The German mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig was born in Berlin in 1928 to parents who were both singers. Her operatic debut came in 1946 in Frankfurt and she appeared in other provincial German opera houses before joining the Vienna State Opera in 1955.

Her international operatic career developed quickly and she established long-term relationships not only with the company in Vienna (1955-93) but also in Salzburg (1955-93) and at the Metropolitan in New York (1959-90). She also appeared at Bayreuth and Covent Garden.

In opera Ludwig was a compelling actress, but her rich and expressive voice ensured that she also enjoyed an equally successful career as a concert and Lieder singer. For the first time on one CD, this reissue presents all Ludwig's EMI recordings of songs by Schubert, including many favourites, not least 'The Shepherd on the Rock' and 'The Erl-king'.