Album

For Fischer-Dieskau completists, this 2008 collection of his 1952 recordings of Beethoven's folk song arrangements will be mandatory listening. Because while the great German baritone recorded Beethoven's art songs many times, this disc has his only recorded performances of these slivers from the master's workshop. Performed with acclaimed pianist Michael Raucheisen plus violinist Grete Eweler-Froboese, cellist Irmgard Poppen, and the RIAS-Kammerchor, Fischer-Dieskau's' performances are full of energy and enthusiasm. The songs themselves are hardly at the same level as the composer's greatest songs—there is nothing here comparable to An die ferne Geliebte—but the humor and affection of Beethoven's settings and the wit and pleasure of Fischer-Dieskau's performances encourage the listener to enjoy works in their own right. Given its age and origins, the sound here is understandably gray and boxy: the performers seem to be trapped in a small room with the singer right next to the microphone and the instrumentalists far behind him. But for dedicated fans of the singer or the composer, this will hardly matter in comparison to the aesthetic value of the performances and repertoire.

© James Leonard, All Music Guide

CD 1
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 25 Scottish Songs for Voices and Piano Trio, Op.108 Work 31:45 Herbert Froitzheim Conductor, Michael Raucheisen Piano, Ina-Elisabeth Brosow Soprano, Irmgard Poppen Cello, Grete Eweler Violin, Ilse Siehl-Riedel Alto, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Baritone, Carl Katz Baritone, Berlin RIAS-Chamber Choir Chorus/Choir, Fritz Bozetti Tenor
1	1.Music, Love and Wine	2:07			$0.99
2	3.O sweet were the hours	3:49			$0.99
3	13.Come fill, fill, my good fellow!	2:25			$0.99
4	16.Could this ill world have been contriv'd	2:38			$0.99
5	23.The Shepherd's Song	2:37			$0.99
6	3.O sweet were the hours	3:57			$0.99
7	19.O swiftly glides the bonny boat	2:37			$0.99
8	20.Faithfu' Johnie	5:35			$0.99
9	22.The Highland Watch	2:55			$0.99
10	23.The Shepherd's Song	3:05			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 25 Irish Songs for Voice and Piano Trio, WoO152 Work 8:47 Michael Raucheisen Piano, Berlin RIAS-Chamber Choir Chorus/Choir, Irmgard Poppen Cello, Grete Eweler Violin, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Baritone
11	3.Once more I hail thee	3:59			$0.99
12	4.The morning air plays on my face	2:32			$0.99
13	21.Morning a cruel turmoiler is	2:16			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 20 Irish Songs, WoO153 Work 6:05 Michael Raucheisen Piano, Herbert Froitzheim Conductor, Berlin RIAS-Chamber Choir Chorus/Choir, Irmgard Poppen Cello, Grete Eweler Violin, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Baritone
14	4.Since greybeards inform us that youth will decay	2:03			$0.99
15	8.Farewell mirth and hilarity: Norah of Balamagairy	4:02			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 12 Irish Songs, WoO154 Work 4:34 Michael Raucheisen Piano, Herbert Froitzheim Conductor, Berlin RIAS-Chamber Choir Chorus/Choir, Irmgard Poppen Cello, Grete Eweler Violin, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Baritone
16	4.The pulse of an Irishman	2:05			$0.99
17	8.Save me from the grave and wise	2:29			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 12 Songs of Various Nationality for Voices and Piano Trio, WoO157 Work Michael Raucheisen Piano, Berlin RIAS-Chamber Choir Chorus/Choir, Irmgard Poppen Cello, Grete Eweler Violin, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Baritone
18	11.The Wandering Minstrel	3:29			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 26 Welsh Songs for Voices and Piano Trio WoO155 Work 5:07 Michael Raucheisen Piano, Berlin RIAS-Chamber Choir Chorus/Choir, Irmgard Poppen Cello, Grete Eweler Violin, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Baritone
19	16.The Damsels of Cardigan	2:43			$0.99
20	17.The Dairy House	2:24			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 12 Songs of Various Nationality for Voices and Piano Trio, WoO157 Work 9:01 Michael Raucheisen Piano, Berlin RIAS-Chamber Choir Chorus/Choir, Herbert Froitzheim Conductor, Irmgard Poppen Cello, Grete Eweler Violin, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Baritone
21	1.God save the King (English)	5:10			$0.99
22	12.La gondoletta (Venetian)	3:51			$0.99