Ian Bostridge, Antonio Pappano, Vilde Frang – Beethoven: Songs & Folksongs (2020) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

At the heart of this programme of Beethoven songs performed by Ian Bostridge and Sir Antonio Pappano is the song cycle An die ferne Geliebte (To the distant beloved). Bostridge describes it as “the distillation of Beethoven as lover”. Among the other items are the rapturously lyrical ‘Adelaide’, the sombre ‘In questa tomba oscura’ and a selection of Beethoven’s settings of folksongs from the British Isles, which elicit the participation of violinist Vilde Frang and cellist Nicolas Altstaedt. “When we all play together,” says Pappano, “it’s like a family making music at home.”

Conductor Antonio Pappano gladly trades in his conductor’s baton for his piano keys in this recording during which he accompanies some of the greatest voices in music today. He plays in perfect complicity with English tenor Ian Bostridge in this exciting program devoted to a selection of Beethoven’s Lieder.

The centrepiece of this album is, of course, An die ferne Geliebte (“To the distant beloved”), which is considered to be the first ever Lieder cycle in the history of music. The six poems depict an unknown woman that the composer had idealised from their very first encounter, quickly followed by their separation. His longing for her caused him so much torment that even the joyous awakening of spring could not take away his melancholy in this heart-rending lover’s lament.

The other twenty or so Lieder on this album, including the famous Adelaide, which was also set to music by Schubert, are a testament to Beethoven’s mastery of the lied and popular songs, which he liked to harmonise. Ian Bostridge and Antonio Pappano interpret these rare gems with sensitivity and sophistication. – François Hudry

Tracklist

1. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98: I. “Auf dem Hügel sitz ich spähend”
2. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98: II. “Wo die Berge so blau”
3. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98: III. “Leichte Segler in den Höhen”
4. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98: IV. “Diese Wolken in den Höhen”
5. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98: V. “Es kehret der Maien”
6. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98: VI. “Nimm sie hin denn, diese Lieder”
7. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: Adelaide, Op. 46
8. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: Sehnsucht, WoO 134: I. Andante poco agitato
9. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: Sehnsucht, WoO 134: II. Poco andante
10. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: Sehnsucht, WoO 134: III. Poco adagio
11. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: Sehnsucht, WoO 134: IV. Assai adagio
12. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: 6 Gesänge, Op. 75: III. Aus Goethes Faust
13. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: Zartliche Liebe, WoO 123
14. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: “In questa tomba oscura”, WoO 133
15. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: 8 Lieder, Op. 52: IV. Maigesang (Mailied)
16. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: Andenken, WoO 136
17. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: Resignation, WoO 149
18. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: 12 Irish Songs, WoO 154: IV. The Pulse of an Irishman
19. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: 12 Irish Songs, WoO 154: V. “Oh! Who, my dear Dermot”
20. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: 7 British Songs, WoO 158b: VI.”O Mary, ye’s be clad in silk”
21. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: 26 Welsh Songs, WoO 155: No. 25, The Parting Kiss
22. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: 25 Scottish Songs, Op. 108: No. 8, The Lovely Lass of Inverness
23. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: 25 Irish Songs, WoO 152: No. 1, The Return to Ulster
24. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: 25 Irish Songs, WoO 152: No. 8, “Come draw we round a cheerful ring”
25. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: 25 Scottish Songs, Op. 108: No. 2, Sunset
26. Ian Bostridge & Antonio Pappano – Beethoven: 8 Lieder, Op. 52: No. 7, Marmotte