Hyperion UK
2007
The Songs Of Clara Schumann
About This Album
Several discs from the first wave of major recordings of songs by Clara Schumann have entered the reissue cycle, and many are holding up well. The unique feature of this one is the presence of a male vocalist, baritone Stephan Loges. It may be a little disconcerting to hear a male singer in songs that traditionally would have had a strong female perspective, like Liebst du um Schönheit (If you love for beauty, from Op. 12): "If you love for beauty, oh, do not love me/love the sun, for it has golden hair." But of course persons of either gender may choose to love for beauty or not, and male as well as female singers performed these works during and after their composer's life. The two singers make an appealing pair, with Loges' gentler warmer voice in counterpoint against the more imposing presence of soprano Susan Gritton. She is heard on all of the Sechs Lieder aus "Jucunde," Op. 23, for which, it must be agreed, her voice is perfectly suited; the two singers mostly alternate for the rest of the program. The extant songs of Clara Schumann fit nicely on a single disc, but it might have been good, given the presence of a male and a female singer, to hear some of the set of Robert Schumann songs for which the three Rückert settings were composed -- the set is dialogic in nature, and these two singers would have been well equipped to bring out the qualities of this rare instance of collaboration between Clara and Robert. Be that as it may, this is a fine set of Clara Schumann songs that is worth comparing to those by sopranos Lan Rao and Geraldine McGreevy and remains a top choice for those wanting to hear a male voice in some of them. The booklet contains full texts in German and English. ~ James Manheim, All Music Guide
Track List

Songs (3) From Poems Of Rückert, For Voice & Piano, Op. 12
1.
2.
3.
Songs (6) For Voice & Piano, Op .13
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Lieder Aus Jucunde (6), For Voice & Piano, Op. 23
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Walzer, For Voice & Piano
16.
Der Abendstern, For Voice & Piano
17.
Am Strande, For Voice & Piano
18.
Sie Liebten Sich Beide, For Voice & Piano, Op. 13/2
19.
Volkslied ("Es Fiel Ein Feif In Der Frühlingsnacht"), For Voice & Piano
20.
Ihr Bildnis ("Ich Stand In Dunklen Traumen"), Song For Voice & Piano (first Version Of Op. 13/1)
21.
Mein Stern ("O Du Mein Stern"), Song For Voice & Piano
22.
Oh Weh Des Scheidens, Song For Voice & Piano
23.
Die Gute Nacht, Song For Voice & Piano
24.
Loreley ("Ich Weiss' Nicht Was Soll Es Bedeuten"), Song For Voice & Piano
25.
Das Veilchen ("Ein Veilchen Auf Der Wiese Stand'), Song For Voice & Piano
26.
Der Wanderer, Song For Voice & Piano
27.
Der Wanderer In Der Sägemühle, Song For Voice & Piano (attributed)
28.
Beim Abschied, For Voice & Piano
29.