Brahms: 21 Lieder [Import]

Johannes Brahms (Composer), Mitsuko Shirai (Performer), Hartmut Holl (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Mitsuko Shirai, Hartmut Holl
• Composer: Johannes Brahms
• Audio CD (April 5, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Capriccio
• ASIN: B000001WLK
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #568,581 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Feldeinsamkeit ('Ich ruhe still im hohen grünen Gras'), song for voice & piano, Op. 86/2

2. Sapphische Ode ('Rosen brach ich Nachts mir am dunklen Hage'), song for voice & piano, Op. 94/4

3. Mädchenlied ('Ach, und du mein kühles Wasser!'), song for voice & piano, Op. 85/3

4. Frühlingslied ('Mit geheimnisvollen Düften'), song for voice & piano, Op. 85/5

5. Über die Heide, song for voice & piano, Op. 86/4

6. Wir wandelten, wir zwei zusammen, song for voice & piano, Op. 96/2

7. Der Tod, das ist die kühle Nacht, song for voice & piano, Op. 96/1

8. Nachtigall ('O Nachtigall, dein süsser Schall'), song for voice & piano, Op. 97/1

9. Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer, song for voice & piano, Op. 105/2

10. Ständchen ('Der Mond steht über dem Berge'), song for voice & piano, Op. 106/1

11. Meine Lieder ('Wenn mein Herz beginnt zu klingen'), song for voice & piano, Op. 106/4

12. An eine Äolsharfe ('Angelehnt an die Epheuwand'), song for voice & piano, Op. 19/5

13. Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen, song for voice & piano, Op. 32/2

14. Die Mainacht ('Wann der silberne Mond'), song for voice & piano, Op. 43/2

15. Wenn du nur zuweilen lächelst, song for voice & piano, Op. 57/2

16. Dämmrung senkte sich von oben, song for voice & piano, Op. 59/1

17. Agnes ('Rosenzeit, wie schnell vorbei'), song for voice & piano, Op. 59/5

18. Mein wundes Herz verlangt nach milder Ruh, song for voice & piano, Op. 59/7

19. Dein blaues Auge hält so still, song for voice & piano, Op. 59/8

20. Lerchengesang ('Ätherische ferne Stimmen'), song for voice & piano, Op. 70/2

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, intense offering, August 3, 2003

By 

J.G. (New York, New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brahms: 21 Lieder (Audio CD)

This husband/wife duo will make Brahms's music penetrate your soul in this recording. I first heard this recording through a friend and immediately went out to purchase my own copy. Be forewarned that this music is not light and peppy--it is best heard in a serene melancholy state (or it will put you there fast!), but how beautifully Brahms harmonized all those bottled-up feelings of despair, loneliness, and unrequited love that we all experience. I highly recommend this CD as well as Anne Sofie Von Otter's heart-felt one, but don't take my word for it--buy it and be your own judge.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In radiant voice, Shirai makes these songs her own, January 11, 2006

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Brahms: 21 Lieder (Audio CD)

I first became aware in the mid-Eighties of a Japanese lieder singer who kept winning urgent praise from reviewers. It was hard to believe in the cult--how could an Asian mezzo do more than skillfully imitate German style? But this 1987 Brahms recital, which finds Mitsuko Shirai in gorgeous voice, confounds all doubt. She is not just a convincing stylist, she has made these 21 lieder her own--each one sounds as if she is deeply move and wants us to join intimately in her emotion. Her prevailing style is serene rather than dramatic.

Almost all of Brahms's most popular songs are here, inclduing the Lullabye, but not Von ewiger Liebe or the two songs with viola. Interspersing some lesser known songs adds variety; even so, an entire hour of Brahms lieder can be cloying. He rarely veers away from simple melodies and strophic form. I listen eight or so at a time. Hartmut Holl, then married to Shirai, provides accompaniments in perfect accord with her. What a shame that more Americans didn't venture to the Capricico label to discover such a consummate artist.