Germany has a strong tradition of male ensemble and chorus singing that was strengthened in Schubert’s time by the growth of informal music making, in which songs were written for gatherings in homes, gardens, and even taverns. Much of the repertoire is comprised of forgettable drinking songs and the like written by forgotten composers; but Schubert penned more than 100 works for male voices, and most of these are memorable gems. The Cologne Radio Chorus shines in 17 of these, with just the right style and sound to make these songs arresting–albeit light–entertainment. There are hunting songs, songs of romance, and songs pertaining to the night. Some are unaccompanied, and some are accompanied with piano or guitar; two are accompanied by horn quartet. The recordings are warm, unforced, and natural, and this CD is recommended, but with the caveat that there is a recording on Telarc by Robert Shaw and his Festival Singers that is even more successful–a 10/10 CD if ever there was one. Schubert wrote a lot of passages for high tenor and Shaw’s ensemble really conveys what the conductor calls, in that CD booklet, the “sweetness and light” that permeates the music. Only about 50 percent of the repertoire on the two CDs is duplicated, heightening a positive dilemma. Since so many listeners will fall in love with this music, the answer is to buy both discs. Capriccio helps by being mid-price, but does not aid the listener by omitting the texts from the CD booklet. Unless you know German you will have only a general idea of what the songs are about.
