Est 1923

Beethoven An die ferne Geliebte; Schubert Schwanengesang lieder

Beethoven and Schubert draw admirable musicianship from a true vocal veteran

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert

Genre:

Vocal

Label: Raphael Music

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 0

Mastering:

Stereo

Catalogue Number: RAPHCD008

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
An die ferne Geliebte, Movement: Auf dem Hügel sit'ich, spähend Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
An die ferne Geliebte, Movement: Wo die Berge so blau Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
An die ferne Geliebte, Movement: Leichte Segler in den Höhen Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
An die ferne Geliebte, Movement: Diese Wolken in den Höhen Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
An die ferne Geliebte, Movement: Es kehret der Maien Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
An die ferne Geliebte, Movement: Nimm sie denn hin, diese Lieder Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
(8) Lieder, Movement: No. 4, Maigesang: Mailied (wds. Goethe) Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
Andenken Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
Adelaide Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 1, Bitten Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 2, Die Liebe des Nächsten Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 3, Vom Tode Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 4, Die Ehre Gottes aus der Natur Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 5, Gottes Macht und Vorsehung Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 6, Busslied Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
(3) Lieder, Movement: No. 1, Wonne der Wehmut Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 3, Aus Goethes Faust: Es war einmal ein Köniorus) Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
In questa tomba oscura Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 8, Der Atlas Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 9, Ihr Bild Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 10, Das Fischermädchen Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 11, Die Stadt Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 12, Am Meer Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 13, Der Doppelgänger Franz Schubert, Composer
Franz Schubert, Composer
Graham Johnson, Piano
Ralph Kohn, Baritone
Sir Ralph Kohn, born in 1927, businessman and philanthropist as well as dedicated musician, here tackles a formidable collection of Beethoven’s songs, including the adventurous cycle An die ferne Geliebte, adding for full measure six songs from Schubert’s Schwanengesang. Though this is obviously the voice of an old man, the disc amply demonstrates that in this genre art is more important than vocal quality. In addition, the ever-understanding accompaniment of Graham Johnson intensifies the singer’s positive approach to each song, bringing out word meaning, also helped by Kohn’s clear diction.

With his wealth Sir Ralph has established the Kohn Foundation International Song Competition at Wigmore Hall, benefiting young singers, and one has to applaud his boldness in performing himself both in concert and on disc. After a powerful close to An die ferne Geliebte, he draws the fresh folk element from such songs as “Mailied” and “Andenken”. Though the melodic sweep of “Adelaïde” is not fully achieved, it is good to find singer and pianist pointedly bringing out the humour of Beethoven’s take on Goethe’s ironic “Song of the Flea” from Faust, less well known than some other settings but very characterful.

The songs from Schwanengesang, closing with “Der Doppelgänger”, make a valuable supplement. The booklet contains full texts and translations. Though this is hardly a general recommendation, the disc finds its valuable place as a historic document. Clear, immediate sound, tending to favour the singer.

Beethoven An die ferne Geliebte; Schubert Schwanengesang lieder

An die ferne Geliebte, Movement: Auf dem Hügel sit'ich, spähend

An die ferne Geliebte, Movement: Wo die Berge so blau

An die ferne Geliebte, Movement: Leichte Segler in den Höhen

An die ferne Geliebte, Movement: Diese Wolken in den Höhen

An die ferne Geliebte, Movement: Es kehret der Maien

An die ferne Geliebte, Movement: Nimm sie denn hin, diese Lieder

(8) Lieder, Movement: No. 4, Maigesang: Mailied (wds. Goethe)

Andenken

Adelaide

(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 1, Bitten

(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 2, Die Liebe des Nächsten

(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 3, Vom Tode

(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 4, Die Ehre Gottes aus der Natur

(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 5, Gottes Macht und Vorsehung

(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 6, Busslied

(3) Lieder, Movement: No. 1, Wonne der Wehmut

(6) Lieder, Movement: No. 3, Aus Goethes Faust: Es war einmal ein Köniorus)

In questa tomba oscura

Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 8, Der Atlas

Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 9, Ihr Bild

Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 10, Das Fischermädchen

Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 11, Die Stadt

Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 12, Am Meer

Schwanengesang, 'Swan Song', Movement: No. 13, Der Doppelgänger

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