Songs by Schubert, Beethoven, Britten and Hahn

Matthew Polenzani, Julius Drake

Total Time: 76 minutes
Cat. Number: WHLIVE0048

Recorded: 1 May 2010
Sleeve Notes: Download PDF

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Matthew Polenzani tenor
Julius Drake piano

Often referred to as one of the most gifted and distinguished lyric tenors of his generation, Matthew Polenzani has been praised for the artistic versatility and fresh lyricism that he brings to concert and operatic appearances on leading international stages. He has performed, among many others, opposite Renée Fleming, Anna Netrebko and Diana Damrau, and under the baton of Lorin Maazel, Pierre Boulez and Riccardo Muti.

In this, his debut Wigmore Hall recital, Polenzani brings together the works of Hahn, Beethoven, Britten and Schubert, including An die ferne Geliebte and the Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, alongside leading piano-accompanist, Julius Drake.

Composed in April 1816, An die ferne Geliebte, opus 98, is Beethoven's only song cycle. The title translates as To the Distant Beloved, setting verse written by Aloys Jeitteles, and is considered to be the first true song cycle by a major composer. Also appearing on the release are five examples of some of Schubert’s most-loved works, composed in the great age of song – Im Frühling, Fischerweise, Der Einsame, Nachtstück and An Sylvia.

Britten’s Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo explore the subject of immortal love, seen here through the music’s expressive gravity. The sonnets were an expression of Michelangelo’s love for the young Tommaso Cavalieri, and are given added poignancy as they are said to represent a thinly-veiled expression of Britten’s affection for Peter Pears. Finally, the album features Hahn’s album of songs, Venezia: Chansons en dialecte vénitien. Described by the composer as both “light and melancholy”, they received their premiere at an evening al fresco gathering in Venice in 1901.

Track Listing

Franz Schubert (1797-1828)

01. Im Frühling D882

(4.49) FLAC £0.69 MP3 £0.59
02. Fischerweise D881

(3.13) FLAC £0.59 MP3 £0.49
03. Der Einsame D800

(4.29) FLAC £0.69 MP3 £0.59
04. Nachtstück D672

(5.29) FLAC £0.69 MP3 £0.59
05. An Silvia D891

(3.22) FLAC £0.59 MP3 £0.49

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

An die ferne Geliebte Op. 98

06. No. 1 Auf dem Hügel sitz’ ich, spähend

(2.44) FLAC £0.49 MP3 £0.39
07. No. 2 Wo die Bergen so blau

(1.51) FLAC £0.39 MP3 £0.29
08. No. 3 Leichte Segler in den Höhen

(1.45) FLAC £0.39 MP3 £0.29
09. No. 4 Diese Wolken in den Höhen

(0.58) FLAC £0.29 MP3 £0.19
10. No. 5 Es kehret der Maien

(2.53) FLAC £0.49 MP3 £0.39
11. No. 6 Nimm sie hin denn, diese Lieder

(4.51) FLAC £0.69 MP3 £0.59
Buy tracks 6 - 11 as a group

FLAC £2.74 MP3 £2.14

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo Op. 22

12. No. 1 Sonetto XVI: Sì come nella penna e nell’inchiostro

(2.13) FLAC £0.49 MP3 £0.39
13. No. 2 Sonetto XXXI: A che più debb’io mai l’intensa voglia

(1.28) FLAC £0.39 MP3 £0.29
14. No. 3 Sonetto XXX: Veggio co’ bei vostri occhi un dolce lume

(3.40) FLAC £0.59 MP3 £0.49
15. No. 4 Sonetto LV: Tu sa’ ch’io so, signior mie, che tu sai

(1.54) FLAC £0.39 MP3 £0.29
16. No. 5 Sonetto XXXVIII: Rendete a gli occhi miei, o fonte o fiume

(2.01) FLAC £0.49 MP3 £0.39
17. No. 6 Sonetto XXXII: S’un casto amor, s’una pietà superna

(1.18) FLAC £0.39 MP3 £0.29
18. No. 7 Sonetto XXIV: Spirto ben nato, in cui si specchia e vede

(5.32) FLAC £0.69 MP3 £0.59
Buy tracks 12 - 18 as a group

FLAC £3.43 MP3 £2.73