Loewe: Lieder und Balladen, Vol.7

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
German composer Carl Loewe was an exact contemporary of Schubert, and in German-speaking countries he is regarded as a songwriter of almost equal ability. If his songs have not traveled outside of German-speaking countries, it's undoubtedly because he composed relatively few non-vocal pieces (chamber and orchestral music)--pieces which would have acted as a vanguard for the songs and choral works. He specialized in ballads--narrative songs in many stanzas that tell a story--and his resources in devising atmospheric accompaniments and setting moods were virtually limitless. The performances in this series are expert, and will be eagerly welcomed by Lieder fans. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Herr Oluf Op. 2, 2
The Pilgrim At St. Just Op.99, 3
The Clock Op. 123, 2
Emperor Otto's Christmas Op. 121, 1
The Negro Prince Op. 97, 1
The Negro Princess Op. 97, 2
The Negro Prince At The Fair Op.97, 3
Hueska Op. 108, 2
Drum-Ser Op. 123, 2
Count Eberstein Op. 9H. VI, 5
General Schwerin Op. 61, 2
Landgrave Louis Op. 67, 3
The Lovers' Sepulchre Op. 21

Amazon.com

German composer Carl Loewe was an exact contemporary of Schubert, and in German-speaking countries he is regarded as a songwriter of almost equal ability. If his songs have not traveled outside of German-speaking countries, it's undoubtedly because he composed relatively few non-vocal pieces (chamber and orchestral music)--pieces which would have acted as a vanguard for the songs and choral works. He specialized in ballads--narrative songs in many stanzas that tell a story--and his resources in devising atmospheric accompaniments and setting moods were virtually limitless. The performances in this series are expert, and will be eagerly welcomed by Lieder fans. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Discover Loewe with the dependable, vibrant Andreas Schmidt.......2004-11-22

CPO deserve continuous accolades for their 19 CD series of the Lieder and Ballades of Carl Loewe. Loewe's works have languished in undeserved obscurity for decades.

This volume is a great one to start with if you have yet to sample the series. The reliable baritone Andreas Schmidt is the singer in all 13 selections, and there is a good mixture of tradition Lied settings and some longer Ballades too. Schmidt handles the mood changes in the Ballades very adroitly. Cord Garben is a very fine accompaniest that I hope to hear more from.

The recorded sound is very good. The balances take a little getting used to, with the singer set farther off to the left side and the piano more recessed than is typical in other Lied recordings. But the effect is welcome, especially in the quiet portions of the Ballades, where the piano would have a tendency to drown out the voice if it were placed closer. Good choice by CPO.

The booklet brings a one star ding, as will be the case for all of the series if I get around to reviewing the other 18 CDs. The translations are sometimes quite awful, as has been pointed out by professional reviewers in magazines and on other websites. With this volume, there are several spots where the texts switch sides. For one song, English is on the left, then the next song on the same page, the English is on the right.

But don't that stop you from digging into this deep treasury of song.