Composer: Johannes Brahms
Performer: Juliane Banse, Iris Vermillion, Andreas Schmidt, Helmut Deutsch
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: CPO
Catalogue: 9994472
Release: 2000
Size: 183 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
5 Romanzen und Lieder, Op. 84
01. No. 1. Sommerabend
02. No. 2. Der Kranz
03. No. 3. In den Beeren
04. No. 4. Vergebliches Standchen
05. No. 5. SpannungIris Vermillion02:59
6 Lieder, op. 85
06. No. 1. Sommerabend
07. No. 2. Mondenschein
08. No. 3. Madchenlied
09. No. 4. Ade!
10. No. 5. Fruhlingslied
11. No. 6. In Waldeseinsamkeit
6 Lieder, Op. 86
12. No. 1. Therese
13. No. 2. Feldeinsamkeit (Alone in a Meadow)
14. No. 3. Nachtwandler (Night Wanderer)
15. No. 4. Uber die Heide (Across the Heath)
16. No. 5. Versunken (Drowned)
17. No. 6. Todessehnen (Yearning for Death)
5 Lieder, op. 94
18. No. 1. Mit vierzig Jahren
19. No. 2. Steig auf, geliebter Schatten
20. No. 3. Mein Herz ist schwer
21. No. 4. Sapphische Ode
22. No. 5. Kein Haus, keine Heimat
Although CPO’s series of recordings of the complete songs of Brahms lacks the delightful liner notes of Hyperion’s series of recordings of the complete songs of Schubert, CPO’s series is otherwise Hyperion’s equal in every way. First, of course, there is the music. Although Brahms’ songs lack the vernal freshness of Schubert’s songs, their autumnal ripeness is just as appealing and the lyrical expressivity of Brahms’ melodies and the immense intensity of his settings is just as compelling. Second, of course, there are the performances. Although CPO’s Juliane Banse, Iris Vermillion, and Andreas Schmidt are more mature singers than Hyperion’s mostly youthful singers, their voices ideally match Brahms’ more serious songs. This volume of the songs from Opp. 84, 85, 86, and 94 are Brahms at the peak of his maturity and the height of his skills and Banse, Vermillion, and Schmidt sing them with impeccable understanding and complete compassion. Although one might find performances from the great singers of the past that equal or surpass some of these performances, but as a whole they are a deeply felt and as deeply moving as any every recorded. CPO’s sound is close, warm, and real.