The world is not exactly bereft of excellent Die schöne Müllerin recordings. Yet there’s always room for one as masterful and communicative as Werner Güra’s splendid traversal of Schubert’s beloved song cycle. The tenor imparts a specific character to each of the songs and manages to create variety and dramatic tension within their strophic parameters without a trace of affectation or self-consciousness. The rippling waters of Wohin?, for instance, ebb and flow in a refreshingly off-handed manner, and Güra’s ringing impetuosity galvanizes quicker songs like Am Feierabend and Der Jäger. At the same time, his lilting sotto vocecreates an otherworldly effect in Der Neugierige, Morgengruss, and Der Müller und der Bach.
Perhaps the final song is taken a shade fast to be an effective lullaby, but Güra’s flexible phrasing and uplifting attitude win me over. I also like the registral differentiation of the Bechstein piano, which only adds to Jan Schultsz’s radar-sensitive partnering (and I don’t mean accompanying!). Güra may not command Fritz Wunderlich’s warm, honeyed legato, nor Christian Elsner’s rich, baritonal timbre, but his considerable artistry stands on its own. Harmonia Mundi’s sonics are a bit bright and resonant compared with Naxos’ full-bodied miking for Elsner. All in all, a release that takes its place at the top of the list. Full texts and translations are included. [10/18/2000]
