In Review--Schubert's Lament
C lassical Matthias Goerne (Baritone) Andreas Haefliger (Piano) Schubert Erlkönig Harmonia Mundi Celebrated baritone Matthias Goerne brings us number 7 of a Schubert series, Erlkönig (title comes from a Goethe poem), a collection of songs set to Romantic Era poetry. If I had only read the liner notes, I would have assumed that the recording only contains darker material. The titular song indeed tells a dark supernatural tale but at least on this recording it only has one voice, instead of the original three from Schubert’s time (a man, his son, and a phantom). However, diverse sentiments from a Scottish warrior bidding farewell to his distant love while on the battlefield ( Norman Love ), and spiritual musings ( By the Lake ) and familial love described in nature-based metaphors ( Sunset ) also appear in the 19 tracks. Goerne’s operatic talent comes through on the seductive Fisherman’s Song (which also resembles Mozart’s mirthful arias)....