Winterreise
The Bostridge-Andsnes team has emerged as one of the top lieder recital duos on disc, and their devoted fans will want their controversial interpretation of Schubert's greatest song cycle. The controversy lies in what many will feel is Bostridge's excessive emphasis on textual explorations. For his admirers, this is his great strength, and here he sings Schubert's grim cycle with a dramatic intensity that portrays the desperation of the young protagonist. This is indeed a frozen winter's journey, presented with an admirable sense of drama and intimacy. But some will find it difficult to make the trip, considering Bostridge's staccato dramatics more an acting than a singing performance. In several songs, including "Auf dem Flusse" and "Rückblick," he ventures perilously close to the edge of what many listeners will accept. The singer contributes a booklet note that explains his interpretive stance and his textual changes. Andsnes, on his part, contributes some stunning pianism that's worth hearing. A fascinating journey then, if too individual a trip for many lieder fans to take.--Dan Davis