Ian Bostridge, Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: Songs & Folksongs (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:02:05 minutes | 1,02 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Warner Classics
At the heart of this programme of Beethoven songs performed by Ian Bostridge and Sir Antonio Pappano is the song cycle An die ferne Geliebte (To the distant beloved). Bostridge describes it as “the distillation of Beethoven as lover”. Among the other items are the rapturously lyrical ‘Adelaide’, the sombre ‘In questa tomba oscura’ and a selection of Beethoven’s settings of folksongs from the British Isles, which elicit the participation of violinist Vilde Frang and cellist Nicolas Altstaedt. “When we all play together,” says Pappano, “it’s like a family making music at home.”
Conductor Antonio Pappano gladly trades in his conductor’s baton for his piano keys in this recording during which he accompanies some of the greatest voices in music today. He plays in perfect complicity with English tenor Ian Bostridge in this exciting program devoted to a selection of Beethoven’s Lieder.
The centrepiece of this album is, of course, An die ferne Geliebte (“To the distant beloved”), which is considered to be the first ever Lieder cycle in the history of music. The six poems depict an unknown woman that the composer had idealised from their very first encounter, quickly followed by their separation. His longing for her caused him so much torment that even the joyous awakening of spring could not take away his melancholy in this heart-rending lover’s lament.
The other twenty or so Lieder on this album, including the famous Adelaide, which was also set to music by Schubert, are a testament to Beethoven’s mastery of the lied and popular songs, which he liked to harmonise. Ian Bostridge and Antonio Pappano interpret these rare gems with sensitivity and sophistication. – François Hudry
Tracklist:
1. Ian Bostridge – I. “Auf dem Hügel sitz ich spähend” (02:37)
2. Ian Bostridge – II. “Wo die Berge so blau” (01:42)
3. Ian Bostridge – III. “Leichte Segler in den Höhen” (01:38)
4. Ian Bostridge – IV. “Diese Wolken in den Höhen” (00:57)
5. Ian Bostridge – V. “Es kehret der Maien” (02:36)
6. Ian Bostridge – VI. “Nimm sie hin denn, diese Lieder” (03:51)
7. Ian Bostridge – Adelaide, Op. 46 (05:24)
8. Ian Bostridge – I. Andante poco agitato (00:55)
9. Ian Bostridge – II. Poco andante (00:59)
10. Ian Bostridge – III. Poco adagio (01:31)
11. Ian Bostridge – IV. Assai adagio (01:38)
12. Ian Bostridge – III. Aus Goethes Faust (01:55)
13. Ian Bostridge – Zärtliche Liebe, WoO 123 (02:03)
14. Ian Bostridge – In questa tomba oscura, WoO 133 (03:09)
15. Ian Bostridge – IV. Maigesang (Mailied) (01:55)
16. Ian Bostridge – Andenken, WoO 136 (02:24)
17. Ian Bostridge – Resignation, WoO 149 (02:33)
18. Ian Bostridge – IV. The Pulse of an Irishman (02:10)
19. Ian Bostridge – V. “Oh ! Who, my dear Dermot” (02:22)
20. Ian Bostridge – VI.”O Mary, ye’s be clad in silk” (01:47)
21. Ian Bostridge – No. 25 The Parting Kiss (03:07)
22. Ian Bostridge – No. 8 The Lovely Lass of Inverness (03:15)
23. Ian Bostridge – No. 1 The Return to Ulster (05:34)
24. Ian Bostridge – No. 8 “Come draw we round a cheerful ring” (01:24)
25. Ian Bostridge – No. 2 Sunset (02:37)
26. Ian Bostridge – No. 7 Marmotte (01:54)
