Customer Reviews

Robert Schumann: Heine Lieder

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

It was a wonderful experience to listen to all the 20 songs Schumann originaly composed for his song cycle.

What can I say that Edith Eisler has not written before? I agree!