Benjamin Appl: 10 Years in 10 Pieces
To celebrate 10 years of IDAGIO, we’ve invited some of classical music’s most prominent artists to take part in a special series: '10 Years in 10 Pieces'. Each artist reflects on the past decade by selecting 10 key works that have shaped their artistic journey, presented in a thoughtfully curated playlist accompanied by their personal commentary. Benjamin Appl is a German-British baritone known for his expressive interpretation of Lieder. A former Regensburger Domspatzen chorister and student of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, he performs internationally, records widely, and teaches at London’s Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
2016
Jean Sibelius: Kullervo, 3rd movement – BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard (Hyperion)
Preparation for a piece that is rarely performed has been a special experience. I had the opportunity to perform it a few times with the wonderful Thomas Dausgaard and the BBC orchestras, having worked closely with them as a New Generation artist. This year has also been marked by Brexit, a decision that has had a profound impact on my life and on many musicians in the UK, including the orchestras.
2017
Edvard Grieg: Til Norge ("An das Vaterland") op. 58/2 – Benjamin Appl, James Baillieu (Sony Classical)
Following the release of my debut album 'Heimat' on Sony Classical, I’ve found myself, as a travelling artist, continually drawn to questions of belonging and home. The subject of that album remains profoundly meaningful to me.
2018
Benjamin Britten: War Requiem: Agnus Dei – Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Benjamin Britten (Decca)
Within the centenary of the end of WWI, I had the privilege to perform many times Britten‘s War Requiem, for me the most moving oratorio of the 20th century.
2019
György Kurtag / J. S. Bach: 'Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit' BWV 106 'Actus tragicus' – Márta Kurtág, György Kurtág (ECM New Series)
Encounter with György Kurtág and beginning of our working relationship.
2020
Astor Piazzolla: Histoire du Tango – Ksenija Sidorova (Alpha Classics)
Film about German Song and Tango in Buenos Aires - opening up of a new horizon.
2021
Adolf Strauss: Ich weiß bestimmt, ich werd dich wiedersehn – Anne Sofie von Otter, Bengt Forsberg (Deutsche Grammophon)
Start of the collaboration with the wonderful Eva Fahidi, survivor of Auschwitz, touring with her and telling her story in different countries through her words and music.
2022
Werner Richard Heymann: Irgendwo auf der Welt – Max Raabe, Daniel Hope (Deutsche Grammophon)
Starting to explore different genres of story telling like the German singer Max Raabe. It made me realise how close singer-songwriters can be to the composers of German art songs.
2023
Johannes Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem op. 45: 1. Selig sind, die da Leid tragen – Royal Concertgebouw, Bernard Haitink (Decca)
Unbelievably moving production of Brahms's Requiem in the Ancient sight of Eleusis outside of Athens.
2024
Felix Mendelssohn: Die deutsche Liturgie MWV B 57: No. 3 Kyrie eleison – Regensburger Domspatzen, Georg Ratzinger
After more than 20 years, I returned to the boys’ choir where I had been a chorister from an early age to record an album together. Hearing that familiar sound again and singing alongside them after so many years truly felt like coming home.
2025
Franz Schubert: An die Musik – Benjamin Appl, James Baillieu (Alpha Classic)
2025 marks the centenary of Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, with whom I had the extraordinary privilege of studying during his final years. Over the past two years, I have been fortunate to explore his private archive, which inspired me to release both a book and an album celebrating this remarkable musician. These projects offer a glimpse into who he was as a person and what shaped him as an artist.