NEW ON NAXOS | FEBRUARY 2023
Johannes BRAHMS (1833–1897) Complete Songs, Vol. 3 Deutsche Volkslieder, WoO 33: Books 6–7 • Volkskinderlieder, WoO 31 Alina Wunderlin, Soprano • Esther Valentin-Fieguth, Mezzo-soprano Kieran Carrel, Tenor • Konstantin Ingenpaß, Baritone • Ulrich Eisenlohr, Fortepiano For Brahms, folk songs were sources of musical inspiration, not subjects for academic study. The songs from Books 6 and 7 of the Deutsche Volkslieder exemplify how Brahms’ distinctive and expressive accompaniments brought unique qualities to these songs, how he intensified certain verses to draw out their power, or allowed the piano its own revealing melodic phrases. In Book 7 the songs are divided between a lead singer and a chorus, adding fresh musical possibilities. In the Volkskinderlieder (‘Children’s Folk Songs’) Brahms’ economy and deftness turn lullabies into works of art. Key Features: • This recording follows the second volume (8.574345) in the series set to be released in December. • ‘Most moving of all is the trancelike stillness of ‘Feldeinsamkeit’, perfectly sustained in long, arching spans: a performance close to my ideal, this. Here and elsewhere Ulrich Eisenlohr is a sympathetic and observant partner, rhythmically firm yet supple, with a natural feeling for Brahmsian rubato.’ ( Gramophone on Vol. 1, 8.574268) It also won Opera News ’ Critics’s Choice accolade. • Eisenlohr is the accompanist throughout this series and has appeared as a soloist and accompanist on over 50 recording released by record labels such as Sony Classical, Naxos and harmonia mundi. Several of his recordings have been awarded major prizes. As a Lieder specialist, the conception, artistic direction and recording of Schubert’s complete songs has been one of his major projects.
8.574346 Release Date: 10 Feb 2023
Companion Titles – Previous lieder releases on Naxos
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Click to listen to Deutsche Volkslieder, WoO 33 – Book 6: No. 40. Ich weiß mir’n Maidlein hübsch und fein
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INCLUDES WORLD PREMIERE RECORDINGS
Anton RUBINSTEIN (1829–1894) Preludes and Études Martin Cousin, Piano
Anton Rubinstein was one of the greatest pianists of his age – a virtuoso the equal of Liszt and a popular composer whose career took him all over the world. Despite his invaluable contributions to Russian music, his legacy proved controversial with later generations. Today we can appreciate Rubinstein’s very real achievement as a gifted and original composer whose works are notable for their melodic memorability and extraordinary variety of textures. These Preludes and Études bear powerful witness to this composer’s technical ability and command of tone colour, forming a comprehensive survey of Rubinstein’s piano technique and creative prowess. Key Features: • This release builds on our growing catalogue of piano works by Anton Rubinstein, this is reflected in the fact that this programme includes the world premiere recordings of the complete Six Preludes, Op. 24 and the Piano Étude in C major – an indication of what still remains to be discovered from this composer. • Previous solo piano recordings of works by Anton Rubinstein include Le Bal (8.574216) played by Warren Lee and summed up as ‘stunning and imaginative’ by MusicWeb International, and his Piano Sonatas (8.573989) played by Han Chen, described as ‘forthright, effective, and often original’ in Records International . • Pianist Martin Cousin is regarded as one of the most exceptional pianists of his generation, having been awarded First Prize at the 2005 Ettore Pozzoli International Piano Competition (Seregno, Italy) and Gold Medal at the 2003 Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition (London). His recordings on the SOMM label have received wide acclaim, and his disc of Rachmaninov's Études-Tableaux was released in 2014 and was proclaimed ‘a landmark recording’ by The Observer with a 5-star review.
8.574426 Release Date: 24 Feb 2023 Companion Titles – Anton Rubinstein, Composer
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Click to listen to Six Preludes, Op. 24: No. 2 in F minor – Allegro molto
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