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Robert Schumann: Heine Lieder
Thomas Hampson, Wolfgang Sawallisch
Robert Schumann: Heine Lieder
Genres: Pop, Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (32) - Disc #1

Schumann set a lot of Heine's verses to music, and indeed these two quintessential romantics complement and enhance each other's rapturously poetic language. This record presents both at their best in three rather unfamili...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Thomas Hampson, Wolfgang Sawallisch
Title: Robert Schumann: Heine Lieder
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Angel Records
Release Date: 8/19/1997
Genres: Pop, Classical
Style: Vocal Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 724355559821

Synopsis

Amazon.com essential recording
Schumann set a lot of Heine's verses to music, and indeed these two quintessential romantics complement and enhance each other's rapturously poetic language. This record presents both at their best in three rather unfamiliar, heartbreaking songs about unrequited love, as well as the two great cycles, Liederkreis and Dichterliebe, the latter in its first version, which includes four beautiful songs Schumann later eliminated, for reasons unknown, but regarded highly enough to publish separately. He also made other changes, not necessarily for the better, so this recording offers a rare and welcome opportunity to hear what he originally had in mind. The performance is beyond praise. Hampson's voice is warm, pure, beautiful, sensitively inflected for expression, not for vocal effect; his approach is simple, natural, inwardly expressive. His diction is exemplary, and he is aware of every subtle nuance in both words and music, including the often bitter irony. Sawallisch, a splendid pianist better known as a conductor, can elicit all the colors of an orchestra from his instrument or make it sing with the most intimate tenderness. --Edith Eisler
 

CD Reviews

Very good
Maria-Ana Smith | Santarém, Portugal | 05/28/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"What can I say that Edith Eisler has not written before? I agree!"
Simply Magnificent
Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 04/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Who better than Thomas Hampson and Wolfgang Sawallisch to better interpret the passionately romantic songs of Robert Schumann. Hampson is not only one of the most beautiful baritone voices around he also is a consummate researcher and historian. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that this beautifully executed disc elects to present the 'Dichterliebe' in the rarely performed original version, edited by Schumann himself in a moment of self-sacrificing effacement.



As always Hampson goes directly to the poetry of the songs he interprets and here the elegant poetry of Heinrich Heine is the thread that binds these three cycles together. It is quintessentially Romantic both in the marriage of Schumann and Heine and in the effusive yet always enlightened singing Hampson. Not a phrase is tossed away, each song is held for the moment of performance, wondrous silence is allowed between songs and then the next thought comes singingly alive. In addition to the original 'Dichterliebe' the recital includes the 'Liederkreis' and 'Der Arme Peter' - a fine mix of the known and the rarely heard songs.



The surprise of this album is the fine piano collaboration by conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch. He proves himself not only a fine pianist but also a sensitive accompanist. Schumann's dynamics are always honored and yet the Romantic allowance for extended interpretational pauses continues a tradition not frequently found in other piano collaborators.



This is a disc to treasure. The accompanying booklet insert not only provides excellent translations of the songs, it also offers informed essays on Schumann and Heine. Highly Reccomended. Grady Harp, April 05





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