ブラームス歌曲集 第2集

【ブラームスの作品番号付きの全歌曲を録音するプロジェクト、第2弾】
歌曲におけるピアノ演奏と解釈では世界の第一人者マルコム・マルティノーによるプロジェクト「ブラームス・ソングブック」第2集。今回はイギリス出身のサラ・コノリー、ドイツのハンノ・ミュラー=ブラッハマンという、どちらも多くのアーティストから篤い信頼を得て世界中の劇場で活躍する二人が参加。ブラームスが30年に渡って書き上げた5つの歌曲集を歌い分け、巧みな表現力と深みのある美声で楽しませてくれます。
ナクソス・ジャパン

This is the second volume in a complete edition of Brahms songs from the Linn Records label, with the songs grouped by opus number but not chronological. The first volume featured baritone Thomas Oliemans, and this time, the songs are divided between mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly and baritone Hanno Muller-Brachmann. The unifying feature of the set is the presence of accompanist Malcolm Martineau, but he is his usual subtle self and doesnt try to turn the music into an accompanimental tour de force. This time, the main attraction is the pairing of singers who have been around for a while (Connolly is in her seventh decade, and Muller-Brachmann is just a bit younger). There is a bit of smoke in Connollys voice, but she can do a lot with a very small gesture in this repertory, and there is a delightful feel here of old pros who know enough to stand aside and let the music speak for itself. That is especially appropriate in these sets of songs, which may be called "Lieder" or "Gesange," or, in the case of the big Op. 57 set, Lieder und Gesange. Brahms seems to refer to the folkish influences on many of the songs, which are sometimes just a bit over a minute long. Both singers are master interpreters of text; hear Muller-Brachmann in the relatively intricate Auf dem Kirchhofe from the Funf Lieder, Op. 105. One looks forward to the singers Martineau tabs next for this intriguing series. ~ James Manheim