Schumann / Swidzinski / Antes - Liederkreis / Dichterliebe - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Elisabeth Kulman and Eduard Kutrowatz have for many years now been working together, as they share an artistic passion for the unusual and unconventional which has manifested itself in pushing the traditional boundaries between various eras and genres. They aim, in their Lieder programmes, to recount new, interrelated stories, and to this end, they combine song and pieces for piano in unusual sequences, sometimes plucking verses from one song and placing them individually in a programme; carefully and deliberately choosing keys that connect a number of Lieder in order to provide a dramatic link that results in exciting, flowing and sometimes imperceptible combinations. At the 2017 Schwarzenberg Schubertiade, Elisabeth Kulman and Eduard Kutrowatz dedicated the first part of their programme entirely to Robert Schumann. The lieder cycle Frauenliebe und Leben and the op. 104 songs form a common theme running through this part of the programme. For Elisabeth Kulman and Eduard Kutrowatz the key focus when choosing songs is always on the lyrics, the message, and what may lie behind it. It is therefore hardly surprising that they also chose poems by Erich Kästner set by the Austrian composer Herwig Reiter. His witty, ironic lyrics full of cryptic humor abound with worldly wisdom and hold up a mirror to their readers without merely moralizing or preaching. Placing Herwig Reiter's settings in a dialogue with Lieder by Franz Schubert appears at first glance to be courageous, if not foolhardy. On closer inspection however the art of selection and comparison shown by Kulman and Kutrowatz in their choice of the songs by Reiter and Schubert proves to be the perfect symbiosis. Album Tracks 1. Von Fremden Ländern Und Menschen 2. Mond, Meiner Seele 3. Seit Ich Ihn Gesehen 4. Du Nennst Mich 5. Ich Kann's Nicht Fassen 6. Kinderszenen Glückes Genug 7. Süßer Freund, Du B

Album Tracks 1. Nicht Schnell, Mit Innigkeit - David Aijón 2. Sehr Rasch - David Aijón 3. Frisch - David Aijón 4. Morgens Steh' Ich Auf Und Frage 5. Es Treibt Mich Hin 6. Ich Wandelte Unter Den Bäumen 7. Lieb' Liebchen 8. Schöne Wiege Meiner Leiden 9. Warte, Warte, Wilder Schiffmann 10. Berg' Und Burgen Schaun Herunter 11. Anfangs Wollt Ich Fast Verzagen 12. Mit Myrten Und Rosen 13. Romance, Op. 28, No. 2 - David Aijón 14. In Der Fremde 15. Intermezzo 16. Waldesgespräch 17. Die Stille 18. Mondnacht 19. Schöne Fremde 20. Auf Einer Burg 21. In Der Fremde (II) 22. Wehmut 23. Zwielicht 24. Im Walde 25. Frühlingsnacht 26. Ziemlich Langsam - David Aijón 27. Schnell - David Aijón 28. Ziemlich Langsam, Sehr Gesangvoll - David Aijón 29. Sehr Langsam - David Aijón 30. Langsam - David Aijón

Julian Prégardien decided to record the Dichterliebe cycle after he came across the new Bärenreiter edition; he went on to explore the work in concerts with his constant accompanist, Eric Le Sage, inserting other works by Robert and also by Clara Schumann, whose bicentenary is celebrated in 2019. When Clara played the Dichterliebe in the 1860s, she used to slip extracts from Kreisleriana between the songs. Prégardien asked Eric Le Sage to record the same extracts on a Blüthner piano of 1856, the year of Robert's death, and also include Romances composed by both Robert and Clara at a time when their future marriage was still uncertain. The sublime ballade Löwenbraut also forms part of the programme - a reminder of the young Robert's anguish on Clara's departure. At Julien's suggestion, Sandrine Piau was invited to sing three duets a simple Canon composed by Clara, and two duets by Robert, Wenn ich ein Vöglein wär, and the sublime In der Nacht. Four further songs complete the album Sängers Trost, a short piece in belcanto style; Kurzes Erwachen, composed by Robert at the age of just eighteen; Aus den hebräischen Gesängen, a very melancholy song; an extract from the cycle Myrthen (Robert's wedding present to Clara); and Mein Wagen rollet langsam, a song that was included in the composer's first version of Dichterliebe. Album Tracks 1. In der Nacht, Op. 74/4 (from Spanisches Liederspiel) 2. 3 Romances, Op. 11~No. 2 Andante - Allegro Passionato - Andante 3. Löwenbraut, Op. 31/1 4. Wenn Ich Ein Vöglein Wär 5. 3 Zweistimmige Lieder, Op. 43 (Ossia Genoveva, Op. 81)~Act II. No. 5. Wenn Ich Ein Vöglein Wär 6. Aus den Hebräischen Gesängen (Mein Herz Ist Schwer), Op. 25/15 (from Myrthen) 7. Dichterliebe, Op. 48~I. Im Wunderschönen Monat Mai 8. Dichterliebe, Op. 48~II. Aus Meinen Tränen Sprieben 9. Dichterliebe, Op. 48~III. Die Rose, Die Lilie 10. Dichter