Schumann: Lieder

Robert & Clara Schumann (Composer), Barbara Bonney (Performer), Vladimir Ashkenazy (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Barbara Bonney, Vladimir Ashkenazy
• Composer: Robert & Clara Schumann
• Audio CD (May 13, 1997)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: London / Decca
• ASIN: B0000042G4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #259,656 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #32 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Bonney, Barbara

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Blend of Passion and Poetry, January 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Schumann: Lieder (Audio CD)

This CD is one of the most beautiful recordings of Schumann lieder I have heard to date. I recently wrote a paper for a music history class about Robert Schumann's use of "musical code" (imagery through musical motives) in the song cycle "Frauenliebe und Leben." During my research, I fell in love with the song cycle, which is a perfect blend of passion and poetry. I had listened to several recordings, but none paired piano and voice so well as Bonney and Ashkenazy have. "Frauenliebe und Leben" was meant to be a vocal/piano duet rather than merely a vocal solo with piano accompaniment, and they have captured the essence of the song cycle in that respect. Bonney's gorgeous, mellow voice and Ashkenazy's perfectly complementary, soulful interpretation give this album a truly "romantic" feel--both emotionally and musically. I highly recommend this album for lovers of "Frauenliebe und Leben." I plan to share this album with my accompanist as we prepare for my upcoming senior recital, in which I will perform this song cycle. Bonney and Ashkenazy's portrayal of "woman's love and life" is inspirational. Five stars, three thumbs up, and a big "WOW!" for this album.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brava Bonney!, December 3, 1999

By 

"janus_kreisler_sachs" (the Midwest, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Schumann: Lieder (Audio CD)

I've listened to many recordings of "Fraunliebe", and although I still would not give up my precious disc with Lucia Popp's interpretation (now out of print), Bonney's interpretation is so moving on account of it's very convincing use of rubato. I listened to Bonney sing these songs (meaning "Fraunliebe" and some of Clara Schumann's) in Vienna. Her interpretation (especially through rubato) gave me the impression that she was not singing but speaking -- more specifically, speaking to *me*, about all the joys and sorrows of life. Of course I'm aware that she wasn't really doing so, but the effect was just magical. And now I enjoy that same impression every time I listen to this CD! Ashkenazy accompanies with utmost sensitivity, bringing out some voices which one doesn't usually hear. And yes, Clara Schumann's Lieder are beautiful in their own right. Has anyone noticed that "Er ist gekommen" resembles the D minor episode of the last movement of Robert's "Kreisleriana"? Also, Clara's "Mein Stern" resembles the chorale-like theme from the end of the penultimate movement of "Kreisleriana." Any musicologists out there who might know what to make of this? I know Clara and Robert were fond of quoting each other in their own compositions, so it's hard to imagine these cases being mere coincidences of musical invention...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a perfect pair.., September 18, 2007

By 

Alfred Rony Situmorang "music" (Jakarta, Indonesia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Schumann: Lieder (Audio CD)

I knew Ms. Bonney before from her DVD with pianist Malcolm Martineau. She sang with angelic voice, and she proved again in this record. This still remain for me the best German art-songs ever. The collaboration & the music with Ashkenazy is truly like the love between Robert & Clara themselves..Perfect!