Arguably one of the best song-cycles ever written, Schubert’s ‘Winterreise’ is an epic undertaking to record by anyone’s standards. On the whole Finley does well, an excellent rich baritone vocal with understated emotion, technical fluidity and verbal accuracy.
Equally, a quality, understated performance from Drake on piano supports well the required ’solitary‘ portrayal of the singer. ’Winterreise', though, should bring the listener to tears with its despairing, stumbling journey and unfortunately Finley doesn’t quite manage this here.
Nevertheless a good effort, if more a recording for those who like their Schubert Classical rather than Romantic.
’Schubert Winterreise’
Gerald Finley and Julius Drake
4 stars out of 5
