You Mean the World to Me

In the strange world of German light entertainment, certainly since the 1950s, it has become almost compulsory for renowned tenors especially to "cross over" into the world of operetta, show tunes and even popular songs. Rudolf Schock led the way hosting a long running radio then TV variety show, but great names such as Fritz Wunderlich, Nicolai Gedda, Rene Kollo, Peter Hofmann, Siegfried Jerusalem and very recently the highly regarded Piotr Beczala have all dipped their toes into this highly popular-and lucrative- market.I remember a fascinatingly awful experience of watching a German TV show in the early 90s hosted by a vocally decrepit Peter Hofmann, who opened proceedings by murdering the song "Delilah" made famous in the UK by Tom Jones, and in Europe also by tenor Karel Gott.Now THE German tenor of our era has stooped, sorry, crossed over to the light side in a splendidly filled collection of largely musical kitsch from the 1920s onward. Many of the usual suspects are present, with liberal portions of "schlag" from Lehar, Kalman, Tauber and Robert Stolz, with several numbers in very decent English.To add credibility to the proceedings, musicologist Thomas Voigt has researched original "Urtexts", so that each number appears in the original scoring for its version. If authenticity matters in this repertoire, then this has it in spades.It is beautifully recorded and played, and Kaufmann's baritonal tenor recalls the all time prime exponent of this repertoire, the great Tauber himself. Kaufmann has adapted his style-he doesn't launch himself fearlessly into these numbers in the manner of Wunderlich, but inasmuch as subtlety can be applied, he succeeds expertly.There is inevitably a fair amount of crooning, but this is what the repertoire calls for.3 numbers stand out-the song from Abrahams' "Die Blume von Hawaii "is a riot, resembling a sort of German "The Boyfriend" or "Salad Days" (Cabbage Salad Days?), the number from Kunneke's "Die Grosse Sunderin" which is a dramatic aria worthy of the opera stage, and Korngold's "Marietta's Lied" from "Die Tote Stadt ", in which he is joined by Julia Kleiter as in 2 other numbers.I don't know anything about her-but I intend to, as she is FABULOUS!For me, her contributions are the highlights of the disc!The Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra plays idiomatically, and is well conducted by Jochen Rieder, and the presentation is attractive, especially if you find photographs of Herr Kaufmann appealing.Here we go-If this is the sort of thing you like, you'll like this-a lot! It's better sung and much more interesting than the recent Beczala collection, and while I think it's a bit much for one sitting, there are numbers which can be picked out for individual playing and these will give great pleasure.Within its context, it has to be 5 Stars.Strange to recall that first time I heard Kaufmann was in a performance of Schoenberg's "Jakobsleiter!"This collection is about as far removed from that as is possible (for which I hear a collective sigh of relief from several eminent reviewers!). Recommended to those with a sweet tooth. Stewart Crowe.

If you are a fan of Jonas kaufmann, then this is definitely for you - I have practically everything he has recorded. I totally love this voice and the believability of him on stage in operas. This CD contains among many, the one item I've been looking for a while - The Marietta's aria from Korngolds opera "Die Tote Stadt" the dead city - I first heard a version of for violin and orchestra with Nicola Benedetti playing (I really do recommend her cd) on Classic FM. Jonas Kaufmann and Julia Kleiter singing in duet - is beautiful and you can watch several minutes on google of them recording it in a studio - This will give you goosebumps and a tear to the eye. The whole CD is worth having!

The songs are from the 20s and 30s and most were already familiar as my Grandmother and her sisters used to sing them.I enjoy listening to Jonas Kaufmann singing, especially in his native language, however the English and French versions of the songs are equally good. He has a rich, warm and with these songs in particular a comforting tone that is extremely relaxing.

This has turned out to be one of my favourite CDs, I love to play it in my car when I’m driving. Some old favourites and many songs which I had never heard before. I’ve bought the CD version with some of the songs are in English. Lovely music sung by the lovely Jonas

I very much like this CD, particularly as it has the words from the songs included in a useful booklet. Jonas Kaufmann has this incredible voice with which he can summon so many different moods, from playful, flirty to resigned and sad. Unlike the DVD of the same title, many of the songs are sung with English translations which, I feel, are an improvement on some of the trite German words.I shall be buying this CD as a present for friends.

I enjoyed this very much. I was surprised at myself because my other favourites of his are the Wagner and Winterreise CD's and I thought this one might be a bit chirpy. I bought it more in hope than certainty but I loved it! Fun, sparkly and made me smile a lot. In the Youtube short interview with him about the making of the CD he says that he had great fun recording the CD and it brought back memories of his grandmother, which made him smile even more while he was singing.Yes it's smoochy, schmaltzy and a chocolate box wrapped in beautiful ribbons with a cute kitten on the front of the box - but it's fun!

I am an admirer of Jonas Kaufmann's voice. What a talent!When ordering this disc you should be aware that some of the songs are sung in German and some in English.There is a version where Jonas sings in German only and - if you speak the language - that is preferable as the original German lyrics are so much more amusing.Great performer, great voice, great fun.There is also a DVD available of how the disc was made, which is interesting. The DVD does not come with the disc.

This guy adds a touch of class to all the songs he sings- a simply stunning vocal talent and yes HE is music to the ears!