DECADES: A CENTURY OF SONG VOL. 2 (1820-1830)

John Mark Ainsley (tenor), Luis Gomes (tenor), Robin Tritschler (tenor), Anush Hovhanissyan (soprano), Sarah Connolly (mezzo), Christopher Maltman (baritone), Malcolm Martineau (piano)

Dit is de tweede aflevering van een groot project bij Vivat. Wereldberoemde zangers zullen "een eeuw van zang" doorlopen, van 1810 tot 1910, decennium na decennium. Elke aflevering biedt een repertoire dat representatief is voor de betreffende periode. Het principe is om bekend en minder bekend repertoire te mengen.

Bijzondere hoogtepunten in deze aflevering zijn Sarah Connolly's interpretaties van Schuberts "Ellen Lieder", Christopher Maltmann's levendige portret van de "Erlkönig" in Loewe's zetting, en tenslotte John Mark Ainsley's krachtige en prachtige vertolkingen van Schubert, Schumann, en Mendelssohn liederen.

De vocale solisten zullen worden begeleid door de initiatiefnemer van de hele serie, de pianist Malcolm Martineau. In het uitvoerige boekje geeft de liederenexpert en adviseur van deze serie, Susan Youens, een informatieve inleiding over tijden en werken.

The second volume in this major recording series, across which a host of world-renowned singers draw listeners, decade by decade, through a century of song, from 1810 to 1910. Each volume features a carefully planned, varied programme performed by household names, whilst the series overall creates a comprehensive survey of song right through the nineteenth century – an invaluable teaching asset, as well as a joy for listeners.

Includes songs from Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Russia, by Vincenzo Bellini, Mikhail Glinka, Carl Loewe, Felix Mendelssohn, Louis Niedermeyer, Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann.

The three principal singers for this second volume are mezzo Sarah Connolly, tenor John Mark Ainsley and baritone Christopher Maltman, who are joined by tenors Robin Tritschler and Luis Gomes, and Armenian soprano Anush Hovhannisyan, accompanied by the series’ creator, pianist Malcolm Martineau

Of special note is Sarah Connolly’s performance of Schubert’s three ‘Ellen Songs’, including a glorious rendition of the classic ‘Ave Maria’, Christopher Maltman’s vivid portrayal of Goethe’s ‘Erlkönig’ in Loewe’s setting, and John Mark Ainsley’s beautifully crafted renditions of songs by Schubert, Schumann and Mendelssohn

Extensive presentation includes 64 page booklet with authoritative liner note in three languages by renowned song expert and series consultant Prof Susan Youens, with full texts and translations.

Bellini:
 Malinconia, ninfa gentile
 Ma rendi pur contento
 Vanne, o rosa fortunata
 
Glinka:
 Skazhi, zachem
 Ne iskushay menya bez nuzhdi
 Moya harfa
 
Loewe, C:
 Der Erlkönig, Op. 1 No. 3 (Goethe)
 Herr Oluf "Herr Oluf reitet spät und weit", Op. 2/2
 
Mendelssohn:
 Minnelied im Mai 'Holder klingt der Vogelsang', Op. 8 No. 1
 
Niedermeyer:
 Le lac
 
Schubert:
 Auf der Bruck, D853
 Im Frühling, D882
 Aus 'Heliopolis' - I D753 (Mayrhofer)
 Gondelfahrer, D808
 Auflösung, D807
 Ellen 1-3, Op. 52
 Der Winterabend (Es ist so still), D938
 Die Taubenpost, D965A (D957 No. 14)
 
Schumann:
 Sehnsucht

"The second instalment in a perceptively assembled and uncommonly interesting survey of art songs"
MusicWeb International - May 2017

"The range is wide and unpredictable, embracing seven composers and four languages … [Glinka songs] thrillingly caught by the flame-toned Armenian soprano Anush Hovhannisyan ... John Mark Ainsley brings thoughtful, shapely phrasing … Christopher Maltman, with his histrionic flair and colouristic range, is in his element … tenor Luis Gomes has the right vibrant, Latin timbre … Sarah Connolly’s deliriously impassioned singing … Malcolm Martineau, recorded with welcome prominence, is the most observant and imaginative of pianist partners."
Gramophone Magazine - June 2017

The singers have been well chosen. Portuguese tenor Luis Gomes is impassioned in Bellini’s small domestic substitutes or operatic arias, while Armenian soprano Anush Hovhannisyan brings vitality and personality to Glinka…Sarah Connolly is grand yet subtly inflected in Schubert, Irish tenor Robin Tritschler dramatic in Niedermeyer’s Le Lac…Malcom Martineau is superb, technically immaculate and consistently imaginative."
BBC Music Magazine - July 2017 ****