During the Romantic era, night was associated with unease and pleasure, foreboding and dreams, comfort and loneliness. Night is a common theme of Robert Schumann’s...

During the Romantic era, night was associated with unease and pleasure, foreboding and dreams, comfort and loneliness. Night is a common theme of Robert Schumann’s life and indeed his works. Bo Wiget has compiled a cycle from the composer’s hundreds of songs, leading us from dusk through the night up until the morning. The songs, most of which were originally composed for voice and piano, are given a nocturnal touch through the wealth of color imparted by the two cellos. The unique arrangements for the Tolkar cello duo and Andrea Chudak broaden the spectrum: now close to the original, now transporting the listener into unfamiliar terrain through which Schumann’s melodies wander like ghostly revenants. Here and there, the soprano receives vocal backup from singing cellist. Now and then, the soprano takes up a cello, adding to the resonant backdrop of cello sounds. The three musicians provide a modern perspective of Schumann’s musical gems, giving insight into a time when nights were still dark, dreams and reality were interlaced by darkness and the night opened up unfamiliar dimensions.