Chandos
Schumann: Songs Of Love & Loss / Sarah Connolly
$10.99
Details
- Composer
- SCHUMANN, ROBERT
- Artist
- Connolly, Asti
- Format
- CD
- Label
- Chandos
- Released
- Oct 28, 2008
- Catalog #
- CHAN 10492
- UPC
- 095115149225
About
Connolly’s is a distinguished addition to the catalogue.
In many respects Schumann is the archetype of the romantic artist: deeply influenced by literature, committed to powerfully intense emotions, creatively aware of the virtuosity of performers. He was himself a fine pianist, and the first twenty-three of his published compositions were for his own instrument. He then went on to match this achievement in the field of solo song, in which regard he became the true inheritor of Schubert’s mantle.
Another important aspect of Schumann’s creative nature was his fondness for creating large-scale compositions out of sequences of miniatures. He developed this trend in piano works such as Carnaval and Kreisleriana, and continued it in the vocal song-cycles, including for example Frauenliebe und -leben and the two groups of songs under the title Liederkreis (Opp. 24, 39).
All of these issues are germane to this collection of songs presented by Sarah Connolly with the expert support of Eugene Asti. Under the collective title 'Songs of Love and Loss', this Schumann programme includes two cycles from the great song year of 1840, the Liederkreis and Frauenliebe und –Leben. The remaining songs come from later in the composer’s life: the collection entitled Gedichte der Königin Maria Stuart Op.135, the beautiful short 'Requiem' from Op.90 and 'Mein schöner Stern!' Op.101 No.4. These show no falling-off in quality, despite the commonly-held view that his encroaching final illness undermined the quality of the composer’s later compositions.
There are abundant alternative performances of Frauenliebe und –Leben and the Liederkreis, but Sarah Connolly brings a distinguished addition to the catalogue. While many great artists have brought their insights to the former, a personal favourite is the 1996 Deutsche Grammophon disc by Anne-Sophie von Otter with Bengt Forsberg (445 881 2), while in the Op. 39 Liederkreis there is always the issue of whether a man’s voice is better. Among notable interpretations is that of Bryn Terfel, for instance, with Malcolm Martineau (again DG, 447 042 2). Therefore the excellent Sarah Connolly does not become an instant top recommendation, but she does have both the technique and the insight to do full justice to these great songs.
In Frauenliebe und –leben Connolly and Asti tend towards slower tempi, perhaps missing some degree of ardour, though a real highlight of their performance is 'Du Ring an meinem Finger', in which there is much intensity. The balance between voice and piano is nicely achieved by both the artists and the Chandos engineers, while the recording venue, Potton Hall in Suffolk, is a tried and tested acoustic well suited to chamber music and songs.
Although Connolly is not a native German speaker, her treatment of the language is assured and the treatment of the text abounds in all the subtleties the songs have to offer, with a vocal timbre that is rich and nicely in focus. The collaboration of the artists seems even better in the lesser-known songs. For instance Requiem moves to a convincing climax after a beautifully chaste opening phase, and the somewhat austere songs on poems attributed to Mary Queen of Scots have an intensity that is all their own. Perhaps her preference for slower tempi pays its strongest dividends here.
-- Terry Barfoot, MusicWeb International
In many respects Schumann is the archetype of the romantic artist: deeply influenced by literature, committed to powerfully intense emotions, creatively aware of the virtuosity of performers. He was himself a fine pianist, and the first twenty-three of his published compositions were for his own instrument. He then went on to match this achievement in the field of solo song, in which regard he became the true inheritor of Schubert’s mantle.
Another important aspect of Schumann’s creative nature was his fondness for creating large-scale compositions out of sequences of miniatures. He developed this trend in piano works such as Carnaval and Kreisleriana, and continued it in the vocal song-cycles, including for example Frauenliebe und -leben and the two groups of songs under the title Liederkreis (Opp. 24, 39).
All of these issues are germane to this collection of songs presented by Sarah Connolly with the expert support of Eugene Asti. Under the collective title 'Songs of Love and Loss', this Schumann programme includes two cycles from the great song year of 1840, the Liederkreis and Frauenliebe und –Leben. The remaining songs come from later in the composer’s life: the collection entitled Gedichte der Königin Maria Stuart Op.135, the beautiful short 'Requiem' from Op.90 and 'Mein schöner Stern!' Op.101 No.4. These show no falling-off in quality, despite the commonly-held view that his encroaching final illness undermined the quality of the composer’s later compositions.
There are abundant alternative performances of Frauenliebe und –Leben and the Liederkreis, but Sarah Connolly brings a distinguished addition to the catalogue. While many great artists have brought their insights to the former, a personal favourite is the 1996 Deutsche Grammophon disc by Anne-Sophie von Otter with Bengt Forsberg (445 881 2), while in the Op. 39 Liederkreis there is always the issue of whether a man’s voice is better. Among notable interpretations is that of Bryn Terfel, for instance, with Malcolm Martineau (again DG, 447 042 2). Therefore the excellent Sarah Connolly does not become an instant top recommendation, but she does have both the technique and the insight to do full justice to these great songs.
In Frauenliebe und –leben Connolly and Asti tend towards slower tempi, perhaps missing some degree of ardour, though a real highlight of their performance is 'Du Ring an meinem Finger', in which there is much intensity. The balance between voice and piano is nicely achieved by both the artists and the Chandos engineers, while the recording venue, Potton Hall in Suffolk, is a tried and tested acoustic well suited to chamber music and songs.
Although Connolly is not a native German speaker, her treatment of the language is assured and the treatment of the text abounds in all the subtleties the songs have to offer, with a vocal timbre that is rich and nicely in focus. The collaboration of the artists seems even better in the lesser-known songs. For instance Requiem moves to a convincing climax after a beautifully chaste opening phase, and the somewhat austere songs on poems attributed to Mary Queen of Scots have an intensity that is all their own. Perhaps her preference for slower tempi pays its strongest dividends here.
-- Terry Barfoot, MusicWeb International
Tracklist 27 tracks
-
1 Minnespiel, Op. 101: No. 4. Mein schöner Stern! 02:44
- Track
- 1
- Title
- Minnespiel, Op. 101: No. 4. Mein schöner Stern!
- Duration
- 02:44
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
2 I. Abschied von Frankreich (Farewell to France) 01:52
- Track
- 2
- Title
- I. Abschied von Frankreich (Farewell to France)
- Duration
- 01:52
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
3 II. Nach der Geburt ihres Sohnes (After the birth of her son) 01:35
- Track
- 3
- Title
- II. Nach der Geburt ihres Sohnes (After the birth of her son)
- Duration
- 01:35
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
4 III. An die Konigin Elisabeth (To the Queen Elizabeth) 01:32
- Track
- 4
- Title
- III. An die Konigin Elisabeth (To the Queen Elizabeth)
- Duration
- 01:32
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
5 IV. Abschied von der Welt (Farewell to this World) 02:59
- Track
- 5
- Title
- IV. Abschied von der Welt (Farewell to this World)
- Duration
- 02:59
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
6 V. Gebet (Prayer) 01:41
- Track
- 6
- Title
- V. Gebet (Prayer)
- Duration
- 01:41
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
7 Requiem, Op. 90, No. 7 04:07
- Track
- 7
- Title
- Requiem, Op. 90, No. 7
- Duration
- 04:07
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
8 No. 1. In der Fremde (In Foreign Parts) 02:06
- Track
- 8
- Title
- No. 1. In der Fremde (In Foreign Parts)
- Duration
- 02:06
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
9 No. 2. Intermezzo 01:43
- Track
- 9
- Title
- No. 2. Intermezzo
- Duration
- 01:43
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
10 No. 3. Waldesgesprach (Colloquy in the Forest) 02:18
- Track
- 10
- Title
- No. 3. Waldesgesprach (Colloquy in the Forest)
- Duration
- 02:18
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
11 No. 4. Die Stille (Quietness) 01:33
- Track
- 11
- Title
- No. 4. Die Stille (Quietness)
- Duration
- 01:33
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
12 No. 5. Mondnacht (Moonlit Night) 03:58
- Track
- 12
- Title
- No. 5. Mondnacht (Moonlit Night)
- Duration
- 03:58
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
13 No. 6. Schöne Fremde (Fair Foreign Land) 01:19
- Track
- 13
- Title
- No. 6. Schöne Fremde (Fair Foreign Land)
- Duration
- 01:19
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
14 No. 7. Auf einer Burg (On a Fortress) 02:40
- Track
- 14
- Title
- No. 7. Auf einer Burg (On a Fortress)
- Duration
- 02:40
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
15 No. 8. In der Fremde (In Foreign Parts) 01:21
- Track
- 15
- Title
- No. 8. In der Fremde (In Foreign Parts)
- Duration
- 01:21
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
16 No. 9. Wehmut (Melancholy) 02:41
- Track
- 16
- Title
- No. 9. Wehmut (Melancholy)
- Duration
- 02:41
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
17 No. 10. Zwielicht (Twilight) 02:52
- Track
- 17
- Title
- No. 10. Zwielicht (Twilight)
- Duration
- 02:52
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
18 No. 11. Im Walde (In the Forest) 01:16
- Track
- 18
- Title
- No. 11. Im Walde (In the Forest)
- Duration
- 01:16
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
19 No. 12. Fruhlingsnacht (Spring Night) 01:32
- Track
- 19
- Title
- No. 12. Fruhlingsnacht (Spring Night)
- Duration
- 01:32
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
20 No. 1. Seit ich ihn gesehen (Since I first saw him) 02:29
- Track
- 20
- Title
- No. 1. Seit ich ihn gesehen (Since I first saw him)
- Duration
- 02:29
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
21 No. 2. Er, der Herrlichste von allen (He, the noblest of all) 03:57
- Track
- 21
- Title
- No. 2. Er, der Herrlichste von allen (He, the noblest of all)
- Duration
- 03:57
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
22 No. 3. Ich kann's nicht fassen, nicht glauben (I can't understand it, I don't believe it) 01:35
- Track
- 22
- Title
- No. 3. Ich kann's nicht fassen, nicht glauben (I can't understand it, I don't believe it)
- Duration
- 01:35
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
23 No. 4. Du Ring an meinem Finger (You, ring on my finger) 02:56
- Track
- 23
- Title
- No. 4. Du Ring an meinem Finger (You, ring on my finger)
- Duration
- 02:56
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
24 No. 5. Helft mir, ihr Schwestern (Help me, o sisters) 02:07
- Track
- 24
- Title
- No. 5. Helft mir, ihr Schwestern (Help me, o sisters)
- Duration
- 02:07
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
25 No. 6. Susser Freund, du blickest mich verwundert an (Sweet friend, you gaze) 04:56
- Track
- 25
- Title
- No. 6. Susser Freund, du blickest mich verwundert an (Sweet friend, you gaze)
- Duration
- 04:56
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
26 No. 7. An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust (At my heart, at my breast) 01:35
- Track
- 26
- Title
- No. 7. An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust (At my heart, at my breast)
- Duration
- 01:35
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti
-
27 No. 8. Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan (Now you have hurt me for the first time) 04:14
- Track
- 27
- Title
- No. 8. Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan (Now you have hurt me for the first time)
- Duration
- 04:14
- Composer
- Robert Schumann
- Performer
- Sarah Connolly, Eugene Asti