Schubert: Der Hirt auf dem Felsen, D965 (Von Chezy / Muller) (Shepherd on the Rock)

Two distinguished soloists – soprano Suzanne Danco and tenor Robert Tear – contribute to this disc of Schubert songs. Both of the composer’s ‘obbligato’ songs (Der Hirt auf dem Felsen and Auf dem Strom) are included, as are five of Schubert’s most popular Lieder in recordings by Danco previously unreleased on CD. But at the centre of this recital is a selection of Schubert’s Partsongs. Their origins lie in the vital demand for this kind of music in the context of the social life of Vienna during the composer’s lifetime. The male-voice quartet was a staple feature in the city’s concert halls, but even more so in the homes of the cultured middle-classes. Much of Schubert’s writing for this medium is in an ‘unbuttoned’ mood, providing material for friendly gatherings. Even so, we find among these partsongs for men’s or mixed voices, many which carry the unmistakable stamp of his genius – the gorgeous Ständchen, or the tranquil, other-worldly Nachthelle.

Famed for her highly intelligent performances and deep engagement with music, Swedish soprano Miah Persson is in great demand throughout the world. She returned to Wigmore Hall last February with internationally renowned accompanist Roger Vignoles to perform a wonderfully emotive and dramatic programme.

Opening with some of the most celebrated Schubert Lieder, Persson revealed a refined interpretation of each song, searching deep within the texts to convey emotions from agony to ecstasy. With great passion, Persson then entered the Scandinavian sound world to complete her programme with Grieg’s stormy Six Songs and a beautiful collection of Sibelius’s most evocative settings.

Franz Schubert was a composer who bridged the Classical and Romantic eras, and his chamber music reflects his inner spirit more than any other form. The “Trout” Quintet for piano and strings is one of Schubert’s best-known works, indeed of the entire chamber-music repertoire. The Chamber Players of Canada also perform the Adagio and Rondo Concertante in F major , D 487, a pure example of Hausmusik (music for the home) destined to enliven an evening with friends or family.

These works are paired with another example of Schubert’s chamber music, Der Hirt auf dem Felsen (The Shepherd on the Rock), for soprano, clarinet and piano.

Bonus material includes Liszt piano transcriptions of two of Schubert’s best songs, Du Bist die Ruh, and Der Doppelgänger — Schubert as you have never heard him before!

Performing a huge variety of Lieder by different composers of the classic, romantic and modern era, Daniel Behle has presented himself as a significant interpreter of Lieder. His release of Die Schöne Müllerin (CAP5044) was highly praised internationally and was a MusicWeb recording of the month.

The highly acclaimed violist Antoine Tamestit releases his third album on Naïve. Dedicated to the music of Franz Schubert, in particular the Arpeggione Sonata, it also features the celebrated French soprano, Sandrine Piau in The Shepherd on the Rock.

Antoine Tamestit has transcribed Schubert’s music for the viola, featuring the multi-award winning Sandrine Piau - recently voted the Singer of the Year at the Victoires de la Musique Classique in 2009. She performs two Schubert lieder: ‘Ich schleiche bang und still herum’ and ‘Der hirt auf dem felsen’. The recording features the Arpeggione Sonata – the only substantial work in existence written for the now extinct string instrument, the arpeggione. After his success in international competitions in Paris, New York, and Munich, Antoine Tamestit won the Credit Suisse Young Artist Award in January 2008, which gave him the opportunity to play with the Vienna Philharmonic and Riccardo Muti at the Lucerne Festival. He has subsequently recorded two albums for Ambroisie/Naïve ‘Bach: Ligeti’ and ‘Shostakovich / Schnittke’.