Here’s another outstanding volume in Hyperion’s Schumann song series. It’s important not only for the repertoire, which includes two sets of four duets–Op. 34 and 78–and some of Schumann’s more delectable songs, but primarily for its two singers who stand among today’s finest lieder and opera performers. Indeed, I’d cast my unqualified vote for these two as unsurpassed interpreters of this repertoire, giving performances of rare, unaffected beauty, and interpretations that convey the freshness of youthful voices with the thoughtfulness of more mature artists. All you have to do is listen to the first track, the Op. 34 duet Liebesgarten, and you’ll know what I mean. And from there it just gets better and better as the twosome tears through the next three songs with sheer theatrical flair, impeccable technique, and unwavering musicality.
Tenor Ian Bostridge is absolutely commanding in his Widmung, and Dorothea Röschmann’s incomparably beautiful rendition of Der Nussbaum–a virtual clinic in the art of expressive singing–allows us to feel the singer’s emotions while we hear both the gentle wind caressing the tree’s branches and the maiden’s dreamy whispers. Bostridge’s Lieder aus dem Schenkenbuch im Divan No. 1 and No. 2 (which together last barely more than a minute and a half) are so engaging that you wish they would go on just a little longer! And if you’ve ever heard more tender, affecting performances of Lied der Braut Nos. 1 & 2 than these by Röschmann–and similarly, Bostridge’s Was will die einsame Träne? and Du bist wie eine Blume–you must have access to some heaven-dwelling vocalists. But the same observations could be applied to most of these songs, which consistently benefit from the truly remarkable partnership of pianist Graham Johnson, always in sync with and supportive of the singers and totally aware of the texts and the demands of phrasing and vocal inflection. The sound couldn’t be better, and it would be hard to imagine a more fulfilling or thoroughly enjoyable 77 minutes of music in any genre. Don’t even think of missing this one. [10/19/2002]
