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Women in love, in pain and in emotional turmoil – such is the subject matter of most of the songs that Swedish soprano Miah Persson and pianist Joseph Breinl have chosen for this recital of works by Robert and Clara Schumann.
The year of Robert and Clara’s wedding is often called Schumann’s Liederjahr; during this ‘year of song’ he composed more than 150 songs, and his wedding gift to Clara was in fact a song cycle, Myrthen, Op. 25. Sixteen songs dated 1840 can be found here, including the Frauenliebe und Leben cycle, the crowning achievement of the year.
But Robert also encouraged Clara to write songs and in 1841 they jointly published a collection entitled The Spring of Love. Clara had composed three of the songs (the 3 Lieder, Op. 12) and Robert the remaining nine, including Der Himmel hat eine Träne geweint
This disc also features Robert’s final song cycle – composed in 1852 and focussing on the life and tragic end of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots – along with four of Clara’s last songs.
As well as being well-known in opera houses across the world, Miah Persson is increasingly in demand as a recitalist, performing regularly with Joseph Breinl.
Robert Schumann: Myrthen, Op. 25 (text by F. Ruckert)
Myrthen, Op. 25: No. 1. Widmung
Robert Schumann: Myrthen, Op. 25 (text by J. Mosen)
Myrthen, Op. 25: No. 3. Der Nussbaum
Robert Schumann: Myrthen, Op. 25 (text by H. Heine)
Myrthen, Op. 25: No. 7. Die Lotosblume
Robert Schumann: Myrthen, Op. 25 (text by M. von Willemer)
Myrthen, Op. 25: No. 9. Lied der Suleika
Robert Schumann: Myrthen, Op. 25 (text by F. Ruckert)
Myrthen, Op. 25: No. 11. Lieder der Braut aus dem Liebesfruhling I
Myrthen, Op. 25: No. 12. Lieder der Braut aus dem Liebesfruhling II
Clara Schumann: 6 Lieder, Op. 13
No. 1. Ich stand in dunkeln Traumen
No. 3. Liebeszauber
No. 5. Ich hab' in deinem Auge
Clara Schumann: Loreley
Loreley
Robert Schumann: Gedichte der Konigin Maria Stuart, Op. 135
No. 1. Abschied von Frankreich (Farewell to France)
No. 2. Nach der Geburt ihres Sohnes (After the birth of her son)
No. 3. An die Konigin Elisabeth (To the Queen Elizabeth)
No. 4. Abschied von der Welt (Farewell to this World)
No. 5. Gebet (Prayer)
Robert Schumann: Lieder und Gesange II, Op. 51: No. 2. Volksliedchen
Lieder und Gesange II, Op. 51: No. 2. Volksliedchen
Robert Schumann: 12 Gedichte aus Liebesfruhling, Op. 37
12 Gedichte aus Liebesfruhling, Op. 37: No. 1. Der Himmel hat eine Trane geweint
Clara Schumann: 3 Lieder, Op. 12
No. 1. Er ist gekommen
No. 2. Liebst du um Schonheit
No. 3. Warum willst du and're fragen
Robert Schumann: Frauenliebe und -leben, Op. 42
No. 1. Seit ich ihn gesehen
No. 2. Er, der Herrlichste von allen
No. 3. Ich kann's nicht fassen, nicht glauben
No. 4. Du Ring an meinem Finger
No. 5. Helft mir, ihr Schwestern
No. 6. Susser Freund, du blickest mich verwundert an
No. 7. An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust
No. 8. Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan
November 2011
****
“Miah Persson's bright, guileless soprano ideally expresses ['Ihr Bild''s] very special simplicity and tenderness. And her accompanist, Joseph Breinl, relishes the pianistic delights of her Lorelei...Persson's Frauenliebe und -Leben also very much tunes in to her own vocal sensibility. This performance rings with exuberant delight: there's a girlish excitement, a racing pulse, and an enraptured confidence, leading to a final song of fierce grief.”
November 2011
****
“Her voice is pure, her diction is terrific, and her musicality shines out of every note. And there's superb partnership from Breinl at every turn...A beautifully programmed, intimate and moving recital”
November 2011
“her naturally sweet, gleaming tone can encompass deeper, more sensuous shadings, as in her dreamy 'Die Lotosblume'...In Frauenliebe und -leben Persson's youthful freshness of tone and eagerness of manner are constant assets. No performance of these songs could be less mawkish or matronly...an enterprising recital from a soprano of charm, intelligence and natural communicative gifts.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
Myrthen, Op. 25: No. 1. Widmung
