There are twenty four works on this disc. The vast majority
of these are established in the standard repertoire but are
presented here in a different guise by tenor Christoph Prégardien
and the Ensemble Kontraste. The impressive Prégardien has a
distinct baritonal quality to his lower register. Across the
scores the concept of the Wanderer from German Romantic
literature is a constant theme that works superbly well.
Robert Schumann is represented by sixteen scores. Twelve of
these are a selection of Lieder that have been arranged
by Marcus Reißenberger for voice and small chamber ensemble.
Reißenberger made these arrangements for Christian Prégardien
specifically for this Wanderer project. Schumann’s Lieder
encompass a wide variety of feelings and emotions. Three are
taken from his Liederkreis. The remaining four piano
pieces are from his set of Waldszenen (Forest Scenes)
for piano and delightfully arranged by Reißenberger for small
chamber ensemble. I enjoyed the whole Schumann recital in particular
Prégardien’s interpretation of the Liederkreis songs;
especially the serious and often forceful Waldesgespräch
(Conversation in the forest) and the gentle, tender and
yearning tones of Mondnacht (Night of the moon) with
its attractive mainly piano accompaniment. With a near martial
feel in Trost im Gesang (Comfort in song) Prégardien
is sturdy displaying the splendid power of his voice. The jaunty
optimistic feel to Wanderung (Wandering) with its highly
modulating line shows the tenor’s vocal flexibility. Dark and
menacing Prégardien provides a real sense of drama in Es
leuchtet meine Liebe (My love gleams). With its sense of
longing the attractive Mein Wagen rollet langsam (My
wagon rolls slowly) shows the attractiveness of Prégardien’s
voice and his ability to sing pianissimo. Probably my
favourite of all the songs with its memorable melody Der
Dichter spricht (The poet speaks) is movingly performed
- so tender and dreamy.
Munich-born composer Wilhelm Killmayer is represented by his
set of Four Lieder from his second cycle of Hölderlin
Lieder from 1986/87 presented in the composer’s own arrangements
for small chamber ensemble. With these settings Killmayer freely
uses texts by German poet Friedrich Hölderlin. He demonstrates
a real affinity with the Romantic poet. Prégardien clearly believes
in these highly attractive scores with their spare and finely
wrought chamber accompaniments. Throughout the lengthy opening
song In lieblicher Bläue (In lovely blue) Killmayer’s
orchestration feels superbly crafted. The work opens with a
passage for solo flute which is joined by the harmonium. The
closing instrumental section is quite superbly played by the
Ensemble Kontraste. This is highly engaging writing and the
assured vocalist takes the listener on a journey that is not
too emotionally draining. I particularly enjoyed the rich-toned
Prégardien in the dark and grave final song Griechenland
(Greece).
Gustav Mahler’s Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs
of a Wayfarer) comprising four Lieder was originally
scored for voice and piano then orchestrated by the composer.
The cycle could be described as Mahler’s way of expressing his
emotional pain and sorrow at being rejected by Johanna Richter
a singer at the Kassel Opera and how he found solace in nature.
The words are Mahler’s own being strongly influenced by a collection
of German folk poetry known as Des Knaben Wunderhorn
(The Youth’s Magic Horn). Here the songs are presented
in Arnold Schoenberg’s arrangements from 1920 for small chamber
orchestra. This is very fine singing from Prégardien who gives
a memorable performance of this much loved sequence. With every
word feeling meaningful in Wenn mein Schatz Hochzeit macht
(When my love becomes a bride) Prégardien displays his rich
and smooth timbre. Much as I admire Mahler’s scoring Schoenberg’s
light and colourful orchestral accompaniment made a refreshing
change. In the challenging Ging heut morgen übers Feld (I
walked this morning over the field) Prégardien initially shows
some signs of strain but recovers to deliver extremely moving
singing over delightful string accompaniment. I checked my favourite
version of the Mahler song cycle with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
and the Bavarian RSO under Rafael Kubelik recorded in 1968 at
Munich on Deutsche Grammophon 449 735-2. I noticed that even
this great singer does not find the score effortless. The tempestuous
Ich hab' ein glühend Messer (I have a gleaming knife)
is given a performance of high drama. Amid the funereal tread
of Die zwei blauen Augen von meinem Schatz (The two blue
eyes of my love) I found Prégardien’s interpretation most affecting.
For some reason it took me a while to get used to the sound
of the chamber orchestra. It’s closer recorded than Prégardien.
The overall sound is cool and clear, and a slightly warmer bloom
would have provided the ideal atmosphere. Some minor volume
adjustment was occasionally needed in the louder passages and
I felt the recording would have benefited from additional depth.
The booklet notes are adequate. Nevertheless further information
about the specific works would have been beneficial. Full texts
are provided in German but disappointingly there are no English
translations.
All those concerned with this Wanderer project are to
be heartily congratulated. I will listen to this splendidly
performed release again and again.
Michael Cookson
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Lieder arranged for small ensemble by Marcus Maria
Reißenberger
Frühlingsfahrt, Op. 45, No. 2 (1840) [2:26]
Eintritt, Op. 82, No. 1 (Waldszenen, Op. 82) instrumental [2:11]
In der Fremde, Op. 39, No. 8 (1840) (from Liederkreis, Op. 39)
[1:15]
Waldesgespräch, Op. 39, No. 3 (1840) (from Liederkreis,
Op. 39) [2:05]
Mondnacht, Op. 39, No. 5 (1840) (from Liederkreis, Op. 39) [3:37]
Einsame Blumen (Waldszenen, Op. 82) instrumental [2:05]
Trost im Gesang, Op. 142, No. 1 [1:56]
Sehnsucht nach der Waldgegend, Op. 35, No. 5 (1840) [2:10]
Wanderung, Op. 35, No. 7 (1840) [1:18]
Herberge (Waldszenen, Op. 82) instrumental [2:33]
Es leuchtet meine Liebe, Op. 127, No. 3 [1:23]
Dein Angesicht, Op. 127, No. 2 (1840) [1:53]
Lehn Deine Wang, Op. 142, No. 2 (1840) [0:44]
Mein Wagen rollet langsam, Op. 142, No. 4 (1840) [2:52]
Abschied (Waldszenen, Op. 82) instrumental [2:32]
Der Dichter spricht (Kinderszenen, Op. 15, No.13) [1:45]
Wilhelm KILLMAYER (b. 1927)
Four Lieder from Hölderlin Lieder II (1986/87)
arranged by the composer for small ensemble
In lieblicher Bläue [10:04]
Der Mensch [2:12]
Wie Wolken [1:33]
Griechenland [3:27]
Gustav MAHLER (1860-1911)
Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer)
arranged for small ensemble by Arnold Schoenberg
Wenn mein Schatz Hochzeit macht (1883-85) [3:35]
Ging heut morgen übers Feld (1883-85) [4:18]
Ich hab' ein glühend Messer (1883-85) [2:53]
Die zwei blauen Augen von meinem Schatz (1883-85) [5:10]
Christoph Prégardien (tenor),
[66:53] 