Today is the birthday of Franz Schubert (1797-1828), one of the greatest of all art song composers. Thomas Quasthoff and Anne Sofie von Otter recorded a fascinating album for the Deutsche Grammophon label a number of years back, with Claudio Abbado conducting the Chamber Orchestra of Europe in orchestrations of Schubert lieder by other notable composers, including Brahms, Britten, Liszt, Offenbach, Reger and Webern.

Here is Quasthoff performing two of Schubert’s most famous songs, “Erlkönig” (“The Erl-King”), as orchestrated by Reger, and “Ständchen” (“Serenade”), as orchestrated by Offenbach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwfWtlrFkDU

And Otter performing “Der Vollmond auf Bergeshöh’n” (“The Full Moon Shines on the Mountain Height”) from “Rosamunde,” in Schubert’s own orchestration, and “Die Forelle” (“The Trout”), as orchestrated by Britten.

Nothing can match the originals, of course, but I, for one, feel fortunate to be able to enjoy these fascinating arrangements.

Happy birthday, Franz Schubert!