I have 2 reasons to select this recording. The first is that I recently knew that Peter Schreier passed away on Christmas in 2019. My sincere condolences to Peter Schreier, my favorite tenor among all the singers.
The second reason is that it get difficult to buy this recording in Japan. It is pity if the people miss the best “Auf dem Strom”.
Music
Schubert held his first private concert on 26, March, 1828, with 7 program. “Auf dem Strom” was newly composed and played on the fifth program. Horn Player was Josep Rudolf Levy, who was famous horn player and played Dresden theater conducted by Wagner, later.
The D.943 won very good praise by press with a comment “This is indescribable delicious dish for our ears. ” Lyrics was written by Rellstab (Heinrich Friedrich Ludwig Rellstab).
It is a song to say goodbye to sweetheart and his familiar land as the man need to leave the town (for some reason) by a boat on the river which flows into the sea.
In modern world, you will send chat by What’s up, Facebook etc. We need to imagine only stars are your friend to share your feeling at night.
Players and Recording
Tenor: Peter Schreier
Horn: Peter Damm
Piano: Walter Olbertz
Venue: Lukas Kirche, Dresden
Recording Engineer : Horst Kunze
Date: 1-7, and 20-21 March, 1971 or 24-26, November 1972 (Peter Damm 34-35 Years old )
My favorite
This is a typical example to know that Peter Damm is both “Singer” and hornist at once. I have listened other recordings by other players, but none of them have satisfied me. Piano plays triplet to express fast river flow. However, most of horn “disturb” the flow because they play it with “their” tempo. In other case, Horn player struggle to keep balance with tenor. The most challenging point is to fit instrument sound to human voice. I believe this recording is the only successful example in my memory.
Sound (voice) of Peter Damm is delicate and keeps accurate tempo not to slow down river flow and singer. Horn is not accompaniment but another “singer” in this recording. It is DUO. I think recording engineer, Horst Kunze also did a good job !
I love the final fortissimo the moment that Peter Schreier shout “Dort begegn’ ich ihren Blick !”(I will encounter your blick, there )
It always touch my heart.
It is pity to know it get difficult to buy new CD or to find music data file online. I spent long time to find it, but not successful yet. Please let me know if you have any information so I can share the wonderful recording with my friends.
Instead of sharing the recording site on YouTube, I attach link of my favorite Christmas songs by Peter Schreier, wishing he still sing in heaven with his beautiful voice.
