Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, one of the most celebrated sopranos of the 20th century, offers a captivating journey through her early career with "Early Song Recordings for German Radio." This two-CD set, released by Music and Arts Programs of America in 2012, compiles 48 tracks spanning a remarkable 39 years of her illustrious career, from 1941 to 1980.
The album is a testament to Schwarzkopf's extraordinary versatility and artistry, featuring a diverse repertoire that includes opera arias, lieder, and folk songs. The tracks showcase her collaborations with renowned composers such as Bach, Mozart, Schubert, and Strauss, among others. From the delicate beauty of "Schafe können sicher weiden" from Bach's "Hunt Cantata" to the passionate intensity of Schubert's "Die Verschweigung," Schwarzkopf's voice shines with unparalleled brilliance and emotional depth.
The album opens with a selection of operatic arias, including pieces from Rameau's "Hippolyte et Aricie" and Gluck's "La rencontre imprévue." These performances highlight Schwarzkopf's dramatic prowess and her ability to convey the full range of human emotion through her singing. The second disc delves into the world of lieder, featuring works by Schubert, Schumann, and Strauss, among others. Schwarzkopf's interpretations of these songs are marked by their sensitivity, nuance, and technical precision.
One of the standout tracks on the album is "Lo spazzacamino" from Rossini's "Romanze," sung in German. This performance showcases Schwarzkopf's ability to infuse a song with warmth, humor, and charm. Another highlight is "Die Amsel flötet" from Schumann's "Liedergabe," a piece that demonstrates Schwarzkopf's mastery of the German lied and her ability to convey the subtle shades of meaning in the text.
Throughout the album, Schwarzkopf's voice is accompanied by the piano of Michael Raucheisen, a collaboration that spans several decades and is marked by a deep understanding and musical chemistry. The recordings, made for German radio, capture the essence of Schwarzkopf's live performances and offer a unique insight into her early career.
"Early Song Recordings for German Radio" is not just a collection of songs but a historical document that traces the evolution of one of the most influential sopranos of the 20th century. It is a must-listen for fans of classical music and a valuable addition to any music collection. Whether you are a seasoned opera aficionado or a newcomer to the world of classical music, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience that showcases the extraordinary talent and artistry of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf.
Tracks
Hippolyte et Aricie, Act V: Rossignols amoureux (Sung in German)Jean-Philippe Rameau, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd!, BWV 208, "Hunt Cantata": Aria: Schafe konnen sicher weidenJohann Sebastian Bach, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Gustav Scheck, Deta Wolf, Rudolf Schultz, Herbert Schonecke
Weisse SchafchenGiovanni Battista Sammartini, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
Oiseaux, si tous les ans, K. 307 (Sung in German)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
La rencontre imprevue (Die Pilgrime von Mekka): Einem Bach, der fliesst (Sung in German)Anonymous, Christoph Willibald Gluck, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
Die Verschweigung, K. 518Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
Das Geheimnis, WoO 145Ludwig van Beethoven, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
Se il mio ben, Op. 31, No. 3 (Sung in German)Carl Maria von Weber, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Lea Piltti, Michael Raucheisen
Les soirees musicales: No. 8. La danza, "Tarantella napoletana"Gioachino Rossini, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
5 Heitere Gesange Heft 6, Op. 9: No. 3. VogelgesangCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
Liedergabe, Op. 130: No. 3. Die Amsel flotetCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
Liedergabe, Op. 130: No. 5. FruhlingsankunftCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
5 Gesange der Sehnsucht, Heft 4, Op. 9: No. 4. Ihr SpaziergangCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
6 Lieder, Heft 9, Op. 9: No. 3. Die verliebte Schaferin ScapineCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
6 Lieder, Heft 10, Op. 9: No. 2. Die SylphideCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
12 Gedichte, Op. 62: No. 1. ZeisleinCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
12 Gedichte, Op. 62: No. 3. O susse MutterCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
12 Gedichte, Op. 62: No. 6. IrrlichterCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
12 Gedichte, Op. 62: No. 11. Kind und MadchenCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
12 Gedichte, Op. 62: No. 12. Die Blume der ErgebungCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
6 Lieder, Op. 89: No. 1. VorspielCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
3 Gedichte, Op. 104: No. 1. Die FreudeCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Lea Piltti, Michael Raucheisen
3 Gedichte, Op. 104: No. 2. An SamiCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Lea Piltti, Michael Raucheisen
3 Gedichte, Op. 104: No. 3. MarzCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Lea Piltti, Michael Raucheisen
3 Lieder, Op. 107: No. 3. FruhlingCarl Loewe, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
An den Fruhling, D. 587b (2nd setting)Franz Schubert, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
Lieder und Gesange II, Op. 51: No. 2. VolksliedchenRobert Schumann, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
6 Romanze: No. 3. Lo spazzacamino (Sung in German)Giuseppe Verdi, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
Duette, Op. 16: No. 1. HeimathgedenkenPeter Cornelius, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Josef Greindl, Michael Raucheisen
Duette, Op. 16: No. 4. ScheidenPeter Cornelius, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Josef Greindl, Michael Raucheisen
Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald (Tales from the Vienna Woods), Op. 325Johann Strauss II, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
12 Deutsche Volkslieder, WoO 35: No. 5. Da unten im TaleJohannes Brahms, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
WinterliedEngelbert Humperdinck, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
Gedichte von J.W. v. Goethe: No. 8. PhilineHugo Wolf, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
4 Lieder, Op. 36, TrV 186: No. 3. Hat gesagt - bleibt's nicht dabeiRichard Strauss, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
4 Lieder, Op. 27, TrV 170: No. 4. MorgenRichard Strauss, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
3 Lieder, Op. 29, TrV 172: No. 2. Schlagende HerzenRichard Strauss, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
2 Altdeutsche Lieder, Op. 18: No. 2. Unter der LindenFerruccio Busoni, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
6 Gedichte von Anna Ritter, Op. 31: No. 2. Ich glaub', lieber SchatzMax Reger, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
15 Lieder, Op. 55: No. 11. Viola d'amourMax Reger, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
16 Gesange, Op. 62: No. 2. WaldseligkeitMax Reger, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
17 Gesange, Op. 70: No. 8. Die VerschmahteMax Reger, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
5 Neue Kinderlieder, Op. 142: No. 1. WiegenliedMax Reger, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
Berne Highland FolksongTraditional, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
O du liebs AngeliTraditional, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
Die BeruhigteTraditional, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
Z'Lauterbach hab' i' mein Strumpf verlor'nTraditional, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Michael Raucheisen
Schwarzkopf on the Art of Lieder Singingna Not Applicable, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
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