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Peter Härtling, in his perceptive accompanying booklet
notes for this release, refers to Schumann’s ‘Romantic symbiosis’ of poetry
and music. Indeed, the songs in the present collection seem to demonstrate
this concept to perfection, representing the ideal meeting of two minds
of genius, Robert Schumann and Heinrich Heine.
Baritone Stephan Genz has studied the Lied with the best:
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, not to mention Mitsuko
Shirai and Hartmut Höll. And it shows. He possesses an extremely
beautiful instrument in his voice, which is marvellously flexible and
capable of catching subtle nuances of meaning in these Lieder. He captures
the tender restraint of the question, ‘Will my beloved come today?’ in
the first song of the Op. 24 Liederkreis to perfection (TRACK 1),
which contrasts well with the declamatory second song. His realisation
of the simplicity of the seventh song, ‘Berg und Burgen schaun herunter’,
a truly lovely piece, is a wonder: it is, indeed, an achievement to convey
the requisite sense of peace in this manner (TRACK 7). Claar ter Horst
is an exemplary accompanist, whose warm sound and careful elucidation
of textures support Genz in whatever he does.
The popular ‘Die beiden Grenadiere’ acts as useful contrast
to Liederkreis. Genz really seems to be enjoying himself here (TRACK
10). Both Genz and Horst rise to the more technically challenging songs,
as in the turbulent ‘Lehn deine Wang’, Op. 142 No. 2.
As an added bonus tenor Christoph Genz joins the duo
in ‘Tragödie’, Op. 64 No. 3: their voices are exquisitely matched.
Recording is faultless, as are the production values of the product as
a whole. Very, very strongly recommended.
Colin Clarke
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Liederkreis, Op.24:
Morgens
steh' ich auf und frage
Es
treibt mich hin
Ich
wandelte unter den Baumen
Lieb'
liebchen, leg's Handchen
Schone
Wiege meiner Leiden
Warte,
Warte, wilder Schiffmann
Berg'
und Burgen schaun herunter
Anfangs
wollt' ich fast verzagen
Mit
myrten und Rosen, lieblich und hold
Die
beiden Grenadiere
Der
Hans und die Grete tanzen herum
Der
arme Peter:
In meiner Brust, da sitz ein Weh
Der
arme Peter wankt vorbei
Dein
Angesicht
Lehn
deine Wang'
Es
leuchtet meine Liebe
Myrten,
Op.25:
Was
will die einsame Trane
Die
Lotosblume
Du
bist wie eine Blume
Abends
am Strand
Die
feindlichen Bruder
Belsazar
Tragodie,
Op.64 Nr.3:
Entflieh
mit mir und sei mein Weib
Es
fiel ein Reif in der Fruhlingsnacht
Auf
ihrem Grab, da steht eine Linde
Mein
Wagen rollet langsam
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Stephan Genz (baritone);
Christoph Genz (tenor) (Op. 64 No. 3); Claar ter Horst (piano). 