Raphael Hohn & Shin Hwang - HEIMAT - Friedrich Theodor Fröhlich: Lieder (2023) [Official Digital Download 24/88]

Like many composers of his time, Friedrich Theodor Fröhlich (born on February 20, 1803) displayed signs of musical talent from a young age. After a short-lived pursuit of studying law in Basel in 1822 and the year thereafter in Berlin, Fröhlich devoted himself to his musical studies. In Berlin, he received instruction from the music pedagogues, Karl Friedrich Zelter, Bernhard Klein and Ludwig Berger. During his studies, he also became acquainted with the young Felix Mendelssohn. These years resulted in a period of abundance in musical composition: numerous lieder and choral works, string quartets and even a symphony. A number of his song cycles were even published in Germany. Even so, he was not able to maintain a living in Berlin, and in the hope of finding more fruitful soil for his labor, he returned to Switzerland in 1830. In addition to working as a music teacher in the regional music school in Aarau, Fröhlich directed several choirs and an amateur orchestra. He dedicated the little spare time he had on his compositions. With a tiresome workload and isolated from the exciting musical life of Berlin, Fröhlich fell into an unhappy state which worsened with financial worries, a lack of recognition from his editors and the general public, along with other personal crises. In a state of desperation, he ended his life in the currents of the Aare River in October 1836. While most of his unpublished musical works were forgotten, they have been well-preserved until this day.

Although Theodore Fröhlich is mainly known today for his choral works, his art songs were an integral part of his musical compositions. He left behind over 200 piano works and 18 song cycles, both of which have been largely neglected. For this CD, we salvaged hidden treasures from his collection of forgotten manuscripts that dealt with the theme “home.” These songs exhibit Fröhlich’s very own musical style and his unique affinity for musically portraying the text.

Tracklist:
01. Lieder an Meieli: I. Ich sahe die blaue, unendliche See
02. Lieder an Meieli: II. Wenn ich träumend irr' alleine
03. Lieder an Meieli : III. Du mit deinen Blüthenbäumen
04. Lieder an Meieli : IV. Wie hab' ich immer Dein gedacht!
05. Lieder an Meieli: V. Auch heute noch lebt des Herren Wort auf der Erde
06. Lieder an Meieli: VI. Wie's nach Leben wittert überall umher!
07. Wonne der Einsamkeit
08. Hyperions Schicksalslied
09. Rückkehr in die Heimat
10. Ihr Heimatfluren: I. Rezitativ
11. Ihr Heimatfluren: II. Aria - Zu Duft und Lieder


Thanks to the Original customer!