Schubert: Lieder

The Music
This is the first of two albums of Schubert’s Lieder composed for piano and voice. Schubert composed the music to the work of such classical poets including, Goethe, Collins and Shakespeare.
Each Lied tells a story of its own. The lyrics are sung in German but a translation is included in the cover.

I won't give a track by track listing of the CD as this is easily available but will mention some of my personal ...
...(Schubert)
A playful a cheerful tale of a trout's journey through a stream. Most people will know and love Schubert's piano quintet also entitled The Trout.
5. Lieder: Heidenröslein: Wild Rose (Goethe)
A serious ode to the beauty of the wild rose.
6. Lieder: Wandrers Nachtlied II: Wanderers Night song (Goethe)
A tranquil tale of a man wandering through the deserted and quiet night.
10. Lieder: Nacht und Träume: ... more

The Music
This is the first of two albums of Schubert’s Lieder composed for piano and voice. Schubert composed the music to the work of such classical poets including, Goethe, Collins and Shakespeare.
Each Lied tells a story of its own. The lyrics are sung in German but a translation is included in the cover.

I won't give a track by track listing of the CD as this is easily available but will mention some of my personal favourites.

1. Lieder: Die Forelle: The Trout (Schubert)
A playful a cheerful tale of a trout's journey through a stream. Most people will know and love Schubert's piano quintet also entitled The Trout.
5. Lieder: Heidenröslein: Wild Rose (Goethe)
A serious ode to the beauty of the wild rose.
6. Lieder: Wandrers Nachtlied II: Wanderers Night song (Goethe)
A tranquil tale of a man wandering through the deserted and quiet night.
10. Lieder: Nacht und Träume: Night and dreams (Collin)
A peaceful, pensive piece sung slowly with sustained notes.
11. Lieder: Der Zwerg: The Dwarf (Collin)
A grotesque and sad tale about a dwarf.
12. Lieder: An die Musik: To the music (Schober)
A soft lyrical song written in tribute to music.
13. Lieder: Du bist die Ruh: You are Peace (Rückert)
A slow love ode to an ideal love.
14. Lieder: Auf dem Wasser zu singen, D. 774 (Leopold)
15. Lieder: An Silvia: To Sylvia (Shakespeare/Bauernfeld)
An idyllic love ballad.
22. Lieder: Erlkönig: The Earl King (Goethe)
Probable the most famous of all Schuberts Lieder. An eerie story about a father carrying his son on horseback through a forest to ward off the evil spirit, The Earlking. When he arrives at his destination, the child is dead. The music paints a realistic scene with howling winds and anxiety. Pounding piano accompaniment symbolises the horse’s hooves.

The Composer
Franz Peter Schubert was born in Vienna on 31st January 1797 in Vienna. (During a rainy day in Vienna last year, I actually visited the home and birthplace of Schubert).
In 1815, Schubert became a schoolmaster. In that year alone, he composed 150 songs including the Earl King. A prolific composer Schubert was at ease writing in many different forms including symphonies, string and piano quartets and of course Lieder.

The Performers
Ian Bostridge is a Tenor. He did not originally intend to become a singer instead studying philosophy and history at Cambridge University. He made his first public appearance at the Wigmore Hall in London. In 1995, he signed an exclusive record deal with EMI.

Julius Drake was born in London. He has accompanied Ian Bostridge on the piano during several tours as well as the two Lieder albums.
The Label
Emi Classics

The Cover
A brooding photograph of Bostridge with simple pink pastel squares .holding the written information

The Release
June 1st 1998

The Price
£11.99

The Availability
At most good music stores

The reason to buy
A sublime tenor voice portraying a range of emotions accompanied by a superb pianist playing cleverly composed music.
 

...less