Dvorak’s Lieder.
Dvorák wrote no fewer than 93 songs for solo voice and piano. In his songs he carried on the tradition of Schubert and Schumann, but with a Czech folk flavor.
This is a gorgeous release. It is a recital with great variety, it is wonderfully sung, and the piano accompaniment is marvelous in its own right. Ms. Fink sings the following: Dvorak:
- Gypsy Melodies (7), Op. 55 (B104)
- In Folk Tone – four songs, Op. 73
- Lieder aus der Königinhofer Handschrift Op. 7
- Vier Lieder, Op. 82
- 3 Songs to poems of Eliska Krasnohorska
- Vier Lieder, Op. 2
Performed by Bernarda Fink (mezzo-soprano) and Roger Vignoles (piano)
Fortunately we also get a couple of the composer’s best early songs; there are two beautifully atmospheric from his Op. 2, more famous in their string quartet guise (“Cypresses”), and a magnificent Op. 7 set that contains songs that wouldn’t pale in comparison with the best of Schubert or Brahms
We also get the engaging and more famous (and deservedly famous) Gipsy Songs, the buoyantly folksy “In Folk Tone” songs Op. 73, some wistfully tender Love Songs Op. 83.
Throughout the recital Bernarda Fink proves herself to be a very sensitive lieder performer. Her voice is fresh and, her emotional range is wide with all the nuances covered, and she has obviously given some thought to how each particular song can be performed to maximum effect.
Here are some selections from this album:
And next, here is Bernarda Fink singing “Ave Maria” by composer William Gomez, at a concert in Vienna, Austria: