[ Hyperion Brahms Song Edition / CD ]
Release Date: Sunday 20 June 2010
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Graham Johnson's complete Schubert and Schumann songs series for Hyperion are landmarks in the history of recorded music. Now this indefatigable performer and scholar turns to the songs and vocal works of Brahms. Each disc of this Hyperion edition takes a journey through Brahms's career. The songs are not quite presented in chronological order but they do appear here in the order that the songs were presented to the world. Each recital represents a different journey through the repertoire (and thus through Brahms's life). In a number of these Hyperion recitals an opus number will be presented in its entirety (in the case of this disc, Op 48). The folksongs of 1894 will be shared between all the singers in the series.
Hyperion is delighted to present the celebrated mezzo-soprano Angelika Kirchschlager in this first volume of the series. She enjoys an international career as one of today's most important singers, dividing her time between recitals and opera in Europe, North America and the Far East.
"Angelika Kirchschlager has a rich yet light mezzo, not a strong voice at all, so Janet Baker you will not be getting here. Her voice is also exceptionally suited to this kind of intimacy, and I found all these performance very pleasant listening indeed, suitably emotive but not overbearing, and particularly sensitive to the needs of the texts. All in all, this is another bag of riches from Johnson to look forward to, and a great start to Brahms."
(AudAud.com)
'The first volume of what promises, on the evidence of this disc, to be yet another absorbing and invaluable encyclopaedia of a songmaster's life and work. Graham Johnson, once again, is both mastermind and pianist, and, as ever, his accompanying notes and essays are as witty and richly allusive as his playing … This recital is beautifully shaped - from the way in which the little opening diptych of songs leads to Angelika Kirchschlager's disarmingly intimate performance of 'Von ewiger Liebe' to the irresistible quartet of Deutsche Volkslieder at the end' (BBC Music Magazine)
'Angelika Kirchschlager and Graham Johnson's interpretations make these a thrilling experience' (American Record Guide)
'Johnson has that rare ability to combine a breathtaking depth of scholarship with great immediacy in performance … A very fine imagination is at play, doing things with tone, colour and dynamics that are utterly beguiling. Johnson is, as you might expect, immaculate' (The Guardian)
Fünf Gedichte, Op 19
Vier Gesänge, Op 43
Sieben Lieder, Op 48
Lieder und Gesänge, Op 58
Lieder und Gesänge, Op 59
Lieder und Gesänge, Op 63
Neun Gesänge, Op 69
Vier Gesänge, Op 70
Sechs Lieder, Op 86
Sieben Lieder, Op 95
49 Deutsche Volkslieder, WoO33