Bryn Terfel - Schumann: Liederkreis Op. 39, Romanzen & Balladen

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This generous selection of songs offers an overview of the wide variety of form, character, and atmosphere of Schumann's lieder, from darkly menacing, dramatic ballads to rapturous expressions of love, magical evocations of nature, and mysterious night pieces. The program includes both familiar favorites such as "Die beiden Grenadiere" and the cycle Liederkreis, and rarities hardly ever performed, such as the Husarenlieder and the three songs of Tragödie, the last a duet. The performances are beyond praise. Bryn Terfel's voice is of incomparable beauty, sonorous as an organ, powerful as an orchestra, yet capable of infinite tenderness, warmth, and delicacy; his technique and breath control are infallible. In "Der Contrabandiste," a bravura piece in a lighter vein, his virtuosity is stunning. It almost seems ungrateful to mention that some of his tempos are extremely slow, that his care for the text sometimes leads to excessive word painting, his operatic background to overdramatization. Fortunately, many songs justify this approach. Malcolm Martineau, a splendid pianist and ideal partner, balances sensitive support with leadership; his preludes and postludes are perfectly paced, organic parts of a whole. --Edith Eisler

Amazon.com
This generous selection of songs offers an overview of the wide variety of form, character, and atmosphere of Schumann's lieder, from darkly menacing, dramatic ballads to rapturous expressions of love, magical evocations of nature, and mysterious night pieces. The program includes both familiar favorites such as "Die beiden Grenadiere" and the cycle Liederkreis, and rarities hardly ever performed, such as the Husarenlieder and the three songs of Tragödie, the last a duet. The performances... read more

Bryn Terfel - Schumann: Liederkreis Op. 39, Romanzen & Balladen

Tracks:

Vier Husarenlieder Op.117: 1. Der Husar, trara!
Vier Husarenlieder Op.117: 2. Der leidige Frieden
Vier Husarenlieder Op.117: 3. Den greigern
Vier Husarenlieder Op.117: 4. Da liegt der Feinde gestreckte Schar
Romanzen und Balladen Op.64: 1. Entflieh mit mir und sei mein Weib
Romanzen und Balladen Op.64: 2. Es fiel ein Reif in der Frsnacht
Romanzen und Balladen Op.64: 3. Auf ihrem Grabe, da steht eine Linde
Liederkreis Op.39: 1. In der Fremde (Aus der Keimat hinter den Blitzen rot)
Liederkreis Op.39: 2. Intermezzo
Liederkreis Op.39: 3. Waldesgespr
Liederkreis Op.39: 4. Die Stille
Liederkreis Op.39: 5. Mondnacht
Liederkreis Op.39: 6. Schone Fremde
Liederkreis Op.39: 7. Auf einer Burg
Liederkreis Op.39: 8. In der Fremde
Liederkreis Op.39: 9. Wehmut
Liederkreis Op.39: 10. Zweilicht
Liederkreis Op.39: 11. Im Wald
Liederkreis Op.39: 12. Fruhlingsnacht
Romanzen und Balladen Op.49 (Heinrich Heine): 1. Die beiden Grenadiere
Spanisches Liederspiel Op.74: 6. Melancholie
Spanisches Liederspiel Op.74: 7. Gestandnis
Spanisches Liederspiel Op.74: 10. Der Contrabandiste
Myrten Op.25: 1. Widmung
Myrten Op.25: 3. Der Nussbaum
Myrten Op.25: 8. Talismane
Myrten Op.25: 15. Mein Herz ist schwer
Myrten Op.25: 24. Du bist wie eine Blume
Romanzen und Ballasen Op.45: 1. Der Schatzgraber
Lieder und Gesange Op.77: 5. Auftrage
Funf Liedr und Gesange Op.127: 2. Dein Angesicht
Romanzen und Balladen Op.49: Die feindlichen Bruder
Myrten Op.25: Leis' rudern hier, mein Gondolier
Myrten Op.25: Wenn durch die Piazetta die Abendluft weht
Vier Gesange Op.142: Mein Wagen rollet langsam

Amazon.com

This generous selection of songs offers an overview of the wide variety of form, character, and atmosphere of Schumann's lieder, from darkly menacing, dramatic ballads to rapturous expressions of love, magical evocations of nature, and mysterious night pieces. The program includes both familiar favorites such as "Die beiden Grenadiere" and the cycle Liederkreis, and rarities hardly ever performed, such as the Husarenlieder and the three songs of Tragödie, the last a duet. The performances are beyond praise. Bryn Terfel's voice is of incomparable beauty, sonorous as an organ, powerful as an orchestra, yet capable of infinite tenderness, warmth, and delicacy; his technique and breath control are infallible. In "Der Contrabandiste," a bravura piece in a lighter vein, his virtuosity is stunning. It almost seems ungrateful to mention that some of his tempos are extremely slow, that his care for the text sometimes leads to excessive word painting, his operatic background to overdramatization. Fortunately, many songs justify this approach. Malcolm Martineau, a splendid pianist and ideal partner, balances sensitive support with leadership; his preludes and postludes are perfectly paced, organic parts of a whole. --Edith Eisler

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

A great Bass-Baritone.......2003-04-27

I must say that coming from a fellow bass, Bryn Terfel is everything I want to be and more. His voice has rich tone and a spin like no one that I have heard in quite some time. I can say that this cd has great range of songs that show off his low as well as high range and makes him on of opera and classical music rising stars.
Terfel does a wonderful job on Du bist wie eine Blume one of my favorite art songs as well as Widmung. Terfel has a wonderful sense of the German language and has a great understanding of how to sing it as well as to convey it through these songs. I would recommend his other cds as well because this shows off the classical side of his voice but what makes Terfel good is that he can do Broadway show tunes and then turn right around and do a Wagner aria from "The Flying Duthman." His voice is truly amazing

Great Effort.......2003-01-11

First and foremost, the accompanist, Malcolm Martineau, shines stylistically in this recording. He is very in tune with Bryn's voice and its habits. Bryn Terfel needs to learn a few more tricks or use them less often. He does everything he is capable of in one piece; you might as well stop listening after the first track/lieder because every piece sounds the same. His tone is very beautiful, as always. I've heard Bryn be compared to Fischer-Dieskau, and I have to say that Fischer-Dieskau's recording, although, not as skilled of singer, is much more expressive and in tune with the music. I almost wish that Bryn had copied Fischer-Dieskau's recording. I know that that's horrible, but I would love to hear Dieskau's artistry on a voice like Bryn's. I'm just not surprised anymore when Bryn uses his sotto/mezzo voce in every piece. Don't get me wrong; it's a great trick. BUT it doesn't sound like he is making music with it anymore. He's doing what he thinks is impressive.

Well performed.......2001-06-30

Bryn Terfel's vocal magnetism is present and there are some hair-raising moments, but on the whole there is not much to get excited about. This may have much to do with the depressing nature of the songs. Large voices are generally harder to focus in a recording and his voice is not as focused here as on his earlier Schubert CD. Like before, these interpretations use the extremes of his vocal ability - some may find it too extreme. In my opinion, Terfel by nature is more at home with positive and/or searching characterizations rather than mad ones.

More stars required!.......2000-07-17

As a previous reviewer noted, it's hard to find flaws in Terfel's singing. I found this recording to be like honey - rich, flowing, intense.

Mr. Terfel continues to prove his excellence as a recitalist.

Another Amazing Album.......2000-02-10

It is getting difficult to find flaws in Bryn Terfel's singing. On his new cd, his lush tone brings out the wonderful melodies that Schumann wrote. His performance of the Liederkreis is probably the best I have ever heard. His pronunciation of the German is flawless and unlike some singers he has excellent phrasing. He pays great attention to the text, which is key in Lieder singing. The problem is that some singers tend to forget the text and only concentrate on tone. This should not be and Terfel realizes this. Martineau accompanies him on his third recital disc (not counting those done with the Sain label) and his performance is commendable. This cd is a must have for any fan of lieder.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Music From the Body [Import]

Mozart: Sérénade, KV250 / Marsch, KV249

Spinner

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The Best of Major Harris [Import]

Street Scene: An American Opera [Cast Recording]

Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2/Prokofieff: Classical Symphony/Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel

Recycle Bin

Rachmaninov: Piano Trios

Porgy & Bess

Sensacional

Para Ti, La Mujer Que Tanto Ame.. Con Sentimiento Y Amor

Slow & Easy

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