Im Herbst
- “In Autumn”: Choral works by Brahms and Schubert
In his early years, Johannes Brahms was a very successful choral director. Groups that he directed gave many concerts in Europe, and that is the way that Brahms supported himself in the early years.
In this collection, we get to hear the following:
Brahms:
- Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103: selection
- Nine songs
- Gesänge (5) for mixed choir, Op. 104
- Warum ist das Licht gegeben? Op. 74 No. 1
- Geistliches Lied, Op. 30
Schubert:
- Psalm 23 ‘Gott ist mein Hirt’, D706
- Gesang der Geister über den Wassern, D714
The performers are: Grete Pedersen, Ingrid Andsnes (piano), Kåre Nordstoga (organ), Catherine Bullock and Madelene Berg (viola), Øystein Birkeland and Ole Eirik Ree (cello) & Dan Styffe (double bass)
Det Norske Solistkor (Norwegian Soloists Choir)
Having focused on music from their home country before, the Norwegian Soloists Choir here present a German program, featuring two of the most influential composers in 19th-century choral music: Johannes Brahms and Franz Schubert
This CD includes both sacred and secular music, scored for male, female and mixed choir a cappella and accompanied, starting with a selection from Brahms’s deservedly popular “Zigeunerlieder” for mixed choir and piano. A contrast to these settings of Hungarian folk songs is provided by the autumnal Five Songs for mixed choir a cappella – a collection of poems dealing with the transience of youth, love and life. The motet “Warum ist das Licht gegeben dem Mühseligen”, shows Bach’s influence on the composer.
Schubert is represented with a setting of Psalm 23 for women’s choir and piano and Der Gesang der Geister über den Wassern.
The CD tracks are:
Johannes Brahms: 11 Zigeunerlieder (Gypsy-Songs), Op. 103
No. 1. He, Zigeuner, greife in die Saiten
No. 2. Hochgeturmte Rimaflut
No. 3. Wisst ihr, wann mein Kindchen
No. 5. Brauner Bursche fuhrt zum Tanze
No. 7. Kommt dir manchmal in den Sinn
No. 8. Horch, der Wind klagt in den Zweigen
No. 9. Weit und breit schaut niemand mich an
No. 10. Mond verhullt sein Angesicht
No. 11. Rote Abendwolken ziehn
Johannes Brahms: 5 Gesange, Op. 104
No. 1. Nachtwache I
No. 2. Nachtwache II
No. 3. Letztes Gluck
No. 4. Verlorene Jugend
No. 5. Im Herbst
Franz Schubert:
- Psalm 23, Op. 132, D. 706
Franz Schubert:
- Gesang der Geister uber den Wassern, Op. 167, D. 714
Johannes Brahms: 2 Motets, Op. 74
- Warum? Warum ist das Licht gegeben dem Muhseligen
- Lasset uns unser Herz samt den Handen
Siehe, wir preisen selig, die erduldet haben
Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin
Johannes Brahms:
- Geistliches Lied, Op. 30
Here is the Westminster Choir performing Brahms’ Nachtwache II, Op. 104, No. 2
And now we hear Brauner Bursche, from Brahms’ “Zigeunerlieder”
Finally, here’s Franz Schubert – “Gesang der Geister über den Wassern” (Song of the spirits over the water)
Performed by the Det Norske Solistkor of Oslo conducted by Grete Pedersen
Tags: Brahms, Schubert, Det Norske Solistkor (Norwegian Soloists Choir)