Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, RIP

[Colonel Danby]

Very sad news indeed, I grew up with his recordings of the Schubert and Mahler songcycles. I did get to see him live just the once in Schoenberg's "Gurrelieder" in the RFH some years ago as the sprecher.

A great singer, once of the best of his generation. RIP DF-D

[french frank]

It seems inconceivable to think of him as one of the greats from the past - he seemed to exist in eternity. But grateful thanks for the musical legacy.

I'd love to hear those 'Artist of the Week' interviews from the 90s, with Joan Bakewell and DF-D again.

[makropulos]

Very sad news indeed, I grew up with his recordings of the Schubert and Mahler songcycles. I did get to see him live just the once in Schoenberg's "Gurrelieder" in the RFH some years ago as the sprecher.

A great singer, once of the best of his generation. RIP DF-D

I'm so glad to have heard him live too. My favourite DFD memory was Brahms's "Ein deutsches Requiem" at the Albert Hall, with Julia Varady, the Philharmonia and Wolfgang Sawallisch in November 1981 - unforgettably marvellous.

[Frances_iom]

The BBC news site has a piece on DFD now, describing him as "the respected German baritone" which seems like understatement...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18118722

ah but he didn't sing raunchy lyrics to a banal computer generated soundtrack which seems to be the key to getting notice these days - any betting that little notice will be taken of this other than I hope (tho under current management maybe not) on R3.

[pastoralguy]

Very sad news indeed.

R.I.P D F-D.

[rodney_h_d]

R4's "Last Word" programme at 4:00pm this afternoon was edited to include a tribute from Sir Thomas Allen.

[Norfolk Born]

It looks as though Radio 4 may have, yet again, been quicker of the mark than Radio 3.
As for the 'respected German baritone' - that's a bit like describing Bill Gates as an innovative data processing expert - or Mozart as a skilful Austrian composer.

[gurnemanz]

I actually started welling up when I heard the news - something I am not regularly prone to and also assumed he would just keep going for ever. His Schöne Müllerin in mono with Gerald Moore was one of my first classical discs aged eighteen 44 years ago. I played it until the grooves wore out and I knew the songs off by heart. He has been with me all the way - not just his voice but also his books. Alas, I never saw him singing live and am glad we made it to his 75th birthday celebration at the Wigmore.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

He was remarkable for his longevity as a singer in German. For many, the gutteral nature of the language wears down the voice.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

His Schöne Müllerin in mono with Gerald Moore was one of my first classical discs aged eighteen 44 years ago.

I learnt the work from this recording. My uncle lent it to me - the orginal issue was on 4 LP sides.
.