Schumann: Romanzen Und Balladen Fur Chor
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- SWR
- April 27, 2010
SCHUMANN Romances and Ballads: Book 1, op. 67; Book 2, op. 75; Book 3, op. 145; Book 4, op. 146. Romances for Women’s Voices: Book 1, op. 69; Book 2, op. 91 • Rupert Huber, cond; SWR Folk Ens Stuttgart • HÄNSSLER (76: 04 & no translations)
In Fanfare 24:1 Marc Mandel, speaking of this rerelease, said “a lack of printed texts unfortunately proves a major hurdle when we listen to the disc of Schumann Romances and Ballads issued by Hänssler Classic.” No joke. Even the notes mention that “Schumann’s typical poetic sensibility and literary awareness are evident in his selection and compilation of the texts he set.” But we in the English-speaking world will never know this. Mandel also lamented that the German texts were not given, nor the poets who wrote them. Someone at Hänssler must have been listening, for the texts and designated poets are now present. But still, the lack of translations in works as unknown and esoteric as these, and the fact that part-songs are so comprehension-dependent for real enjoyment to be found, make this a really frustrating experience.
It was 1849 when Schumann first began work on these little jewels, and he continued with them until 1851, though most were completed the first year. Today they have evaporated from the public consciousness, though they are every bit as entertaining as Brahms and Mendelssohn, two composers whose choral work is sung more often. It might be the deceptive simplicity of these pieces; though many are seemingly straightforward and wholly songlike in essence, Schumann’s bold sense of modulation and some tricky manipulation of the sometimes jittery vocal lines make them more difficult than apprehended. The composer himself was quite enthusiastic about these works, and never even hinted at any idea that they were written for monetary considerations only, or were in any way relegated to a lesser status in his oeuvre. He composed them rapidly—a preferred state of mind—and felt quite confident in their worth. Today we don’t pay as much attention to this genre, forgetting that in Schumann’s day there were boatloads of choral societies always on the prowl for new and sing-worthy pieces.
As far as I am able to ascertain, this is the only album currently available where you can get these works together, and perhaps the only album period where you can find them. As such, it has a monopoly, and one cannot but be impressed by the quality of the recording, now 13 years old. If you are a Schumann collector, or want to explore this romantic angle on part songs, you will want this, as you can probably dig up the texts with some effort (Mandel’s review might help). This will find a place on my shelves because the music is so darned nice, but boy it really burns me that in a 22-page booklet they could not find room for the translations.
FANFARE: Steven E. Ritter
Product Description:
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Release Date: April 27, 2010
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UPC: 4010276023067
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Catalog Number: 93256
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Label: SWR
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Number of Discs: 1
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Composer: Robert, Schumann
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Orchestra/Ensemble: Swr Vokalensemble Stuttgart
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Performer: Huber