HOMAGE TO GERALD MOORE with Gerald Moore, Piano, Victoria de los Angeles, Soprano, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Soprano, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone—Esoteric Mastering SA/CD reissue [2025]

Here is one of the latest eagerly awaited ESOTERIC reissues. They release both vinyl and SA/CDs quarterly, and the SA/CDs have been so good that I look forward to their releases almost as much as their superb vinyl remasters.

This release is an interesting compilation; compilations are not always my favourite style to listen to or review, except when in the hands of master storytellers such as the famed accompanist Gerald Moore and his favourite stage partners, the legendary singers Victoria de los Angeles, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf, and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. All the artists recorded for EMI, and so EMI boss Walter Legge (Schwarzkopf’s husband) arranged a homage concert to honour the great pianist at London’s Royal Festival Hall in February 1967. At the time of the concert, de los Angeles was 44, Schwarzkopf was 52, and Fischer-Dieskau was 42. All in their prime vocal years

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (L) with Gerald Moore (R).

The original LP was released in 1967 and was recorded by Christopher Parker. The 2 CD set contains songs, duets and trios by Mozart, Schubert, Rossini, Brahms, Schumann, Wolf, and Mendelssohn. Disc 2 includes music by Haydn, a speech by Gerald Moore and a full remaster of the Fischer-Dieskau 1963 EMI recording of Schubert’s song cycle, Die Winterreise.

ESOTERIC provides a detailed booklet with lyrics and photos of the event, but notes are only in Japanese.

The recital begins with Mozart and traverses the history of art songs from Schubert to Wolf. Also included is some delightful Rossini, but with the unfortunate inclusion of his “cat’ song. Some artists insist on the song as a comic break in the proceedings. I just find it annoying.

Elisabeth Schwarzkopf

The audience applause is included, as is a heartfelt speech from the dedicatee. You can tell a lot from a recording how it handles percussive and high transient applause and the spoken voice. Here, very well. The sound is a delight, especially as it is recorded in the awful acoustics of the Royal Festival Hall. Parker’s original recording and the wonderful remastering obviate any deficient aspects from that barn of a hall.

Also captured in close up is the flawless diction from all three singers, their musical breathing, and the almost continuous divine phrasing. Live vocal recitals don’t get better than this.

Also, the piano sound is exquisite; the cornucopia of Moore’s skill and technique is heard to perfection. And each of the artists’ unique sounds is heard clearly; de los Angeles’ sparkling soprano, Schwarzkopf‘s darker sound (and her sometimes wayward pitch) and the glorious, unique sound of Fischer-Dieskau.

Victoria de los Angeles

So, much more than a recital album. Truly a star-studded event. And worthy of your collection for the vocal and piano artistry. However, you do get one huge bonus, Schubert’s wonderful song cycle, Die Winterreise—Fischer-Dieskau’s 1963 EMI stereo release also with Gerald Moore.

Moore owns this piece, having recorded it previously with Fischer-Dieskau in 1955 in mono and also with the great Hans Hotter in 1954, also in mono. My favourite will always be Hotter, but this stereo remastering is in much better sound with the singular sound of Fischer-Dieskau. Tough choice.

So, an indispensable set for fans of vocal music, art songs and the greatest artists of the 20th century, bringing them to you live in superb sound. Very highly recommended.

A press copy was provided to Audiophilia for this review. You can contact dealer Angie Lisi at American Sound for more information.