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The German bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff has shown his skills and the fine quality of his voice in a wide range of music, from Handel and Bach (which are included on this compilation), to Schubert, singing Winterreise, to Berlioz, Brahms, Beethoven and Britten, to name just a few. As one of the finest up and coming singers in his range, Quasthoff demonstrates a noble voice, a total mastery of tone and moving timbre.

Quasthoff is here shown in 18th century repertoire, with a series of extracts from various works by Handel and Bach. All are recorded with Helmuth Rilling, and various orchestras. This music covers a variety of tones. At times, Quasthoff recalls Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, such as when he sings the joyous aria from Bach’s Peasant Cantata, Dein Wachstum sei feste und lache vor Lust. His skills at singing recitatives are heard in sections from the St. Matthew Passion, as well as in other sections from the Bach cantatas.

Quasthoff is perhaps a bit less convincing in the Handel, because his English sounds very forced and artificial. Yet his tone fits the arias included here very well, and he is regal in The Trumpet shall Sound.

This is an attractive recording, but is lacking in overall cohesion. As a compilation, it gives a good idea of Quasthoff’s voice; musically, the disc sounds too much like a compilation. It’s a shame, because Quasthoff deserves better. But if you are familiar with his fine voice, you will know that this is an enjoyable recording by one of the voices that will probably be heard for many years to come.

Kirk McElhearn

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