Dear Vocalisters:
The recordings of Aksel Schiotz are once again available, now on CD, from Danacord Records. There are 11 CD's in all. I would strongly recommend Schubert's "Die Schöne Müllerin" and Schumann's "Dichteliebe". Although I have not heard all of the recordings I cannot imagine any of them being less than outstanding.
I heard Schiotz after his illness when one side of his face was paralyzed and he had taught himself to sing again as a baritone. He did "Dichteliebe" at St. Olaf College during my Junior year. The high notes were completely blown open because he had no control over the top of his voice but the rest of the range was wonderful and the artistry was world class. Schiotz simply sang these songs will little need to add his own personality to them, unlike Fischer-Diskau. His approach was more typically Danish. One can hear much of the sound of Björling in his voice because of the softening, mellowing quality the Scandinavian vowels have on the voice.
Schiotz taught lieder at the University of Colorado until he was called home to become the President of the Royal Danish Conservatory in Copenhagen, if my memory serves me correctly. He died a few years later.
Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA Professor of Voice, Pedagogy School of Performing Arts Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ 86011
|
| |