Schubert: Die Geselligkeit (Lebenslust) D609 (Unger)

“There are treasures here...Marlis Petersen’s bright soprano in Delphine; Werner Güra, a peerless Schubertian tenor, in the cantata-like Der Sänger. The less well-known Anke Vondung (mezzo) and Konrad Jarnot (bass) are no less compelling in their solos, while Berner’s period fortepiano contributes perkily to the domestic ambience of the recital.” Sunday Times, 14th April 2013

“This is a high-quality disc for collectors of Schubert's less famous vocal pieces.” International Record Review, May 2013

“This disc is for the real Schubert connoisseur. It's a recreation of a Schubertiade...The recital is a delight from start to finish, warmly recorded, accompanied by Christoph Berner on a gentle-toned Roenisch fortepiano and with the delectable articulation you'd expect from four native German speakers.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2013 ****

“Solemn, saucy or blithe, this is essentially convivial music, to be enjoyed in company, with a glass at hand...Berner and his regular vocal team are well-nigh ideal advocates. The four singers muster an impressive body of tone...The solo songs come off equally well.” Gramophone Magazine, June 2013

“They are expert duettists [Baker and Fischer-Dieskau], having sung together on other occasions and in other media; the result, with the ever-faithful, ever-skilful Gerald Moore, is all that one might expect” Gramophone Magazine, 1973

“it really is pretty well impossible to imagine finer performances...these are charming domestic pieces here performed by four of the greatest Lieder singers of the time: luxury casting indeed.” International Record Review, May 2011