Wolf – Lieder nach Heine und Lenau

Stephan Genz – baritone Roger Vignoles – piano

Heinrich Heine – Liedestrauss: Sie haben heut’ Abend gesellschaft; Ich stand in dunkeln Traumen; Das ist ein Brausen und Heulen; Aus meinen grossen Schmerzen; Mir traumte von einem Konigskind; Mein Liebchen, wir sassen beisammen; Es blasen die blauen Husaren; Du bist eine Blume; Wenn ich in deine Augen she’; Madchen mit dem rotten Munchen; Wo ich bin, mich rings umdunkelt; Es war ein alter Konig; Mit schwarzen Segeln; Spatherbstnebel; Ernst ist der Fruhling; Wie des Mondes Abbild zittert; Stern emit den gold’nen Fusschen; Wo wird einst des Wandermuden Nikolaus Lenau: An ***; Traurige Wege; Nachtliche Wanderung; Herbst; Frage nicht; Herbstentschluss; Abendbilder

Hyperion CDH55389, 67 mins

“A more than useful concert work with which to vary the well-worn paths trodden by all too many Lieder recital - - .” I quote from the notes Roger Vignoles wrote ten years ago to accompany this CD at its first appearance and pronounce his verdict on the Liederstrauss settings, and this is amply demonstrated.

The whole CD is devoted to songs by the young, mainly teenage Wolf never published in the composer’s lifetime. He had not as yet attained the mastery that was to come, and there are echoes of his illustrious predecessors, notably Schumann, to be noted, but these are well crafted songs and very enjoyable songs.

The majority are set to characteristically concise poems by Heine, the second group to rather more meandering poems of Lenau and it is interesting to hear Wolf’s reaction to these differing styles. The performances are excellent.

A worthwhile and welcome re-issue.

Serena Fenwick