VA - Decades: A Century of Song, Vol. 2 (2017)

The second volume in this major recording series, across which a host of world-renowned singers draw listeners, decade by decade, through a century of song, from 1810 to 1910. Each volume features a carefully planned, varied programme performed by household names, whilst the series overall creates a comprehensive survey of song right through the nineteenth century – an invaluable teaching asset, as well as a joy for listeners.

Includes songs from Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Russia, by Vincenzo Bellini, Mikhail Glinka, Carl Loewe, Felix Mendelssohn, Louis Niedermeyer, Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann.

The three principal singers for this second volume are mezzo Sarah Connolly, tenor John Mark Ainsley and baritone Christopher Maltman, who are joined by tenors Robin Tritschler and Luis Gomes, and Armenian soprano Anush Hovhannisyan, accompanied by the series’ creator, pianist Malcolm Martineau

Of special note is Sarah Connolly’s performance of Schubert’s three ‘Ellen Songs’, including a glorious rendition of the classic ‘Ave Maria’, Christopher Maltman’s vivid portrayal of Goethe’s ‘Erlkönig’ in Loewe’s setting, and John Mark Ainsley’s beautifully crafted renditions of songs by Schubert, Schumann and Mendelssohn.

TRACKLIST

01. Auf der Brücke, Op. 93 No. 2, D. 853a - Christopher Maltman
02. Im Frühling, Op. 101, No. 1, D. 882 - John Mark Ainsley
03. Aus Heliopolis I, D. 753 - Christopher Maltman
04. Gondelfahrer, D. 808 - Christopher Maltman
05. Auflösung, D. 807 - Sarah Connolly
06. Tell Me Why - Anush Hovhannisyan
07. Do Not Tempt Me Needlessly - Anush Hovhannisyan
08. Moya harfa - Anush Hovhannisyan
09. 6 Frühe Lieder, WoO 121: No. 1, Sehnsucht - John Mark Ainsley
10. 12 Gesänge, Op. 8: No. 1, Minnelied im Mai, MWV K 30 - John Mark Ainsley
11. Le lac - Robin Tritschler
12. 3 Balladen, Op. 1: No. 3, Erlkönig - Christopher Maltman
13. 3 Balladen, Op. 2: No. 2, Herr Oluf - Christopher Maltman
14. 6 Ariette da camera: No. 1, Malinconia, ninfa gentile - Luis Gomes
15. 6 Ariette da camera: No. 6, Ma rendi pur contento - Luis Gomes
16. 6 Ariette da camera: No. 2, Vanne, o rosa fortunata - Luis Gomes
17. Ellens Gesang I, Op. 52 No. 1, D. 837 "Raste, Krieger, Krieg ist aus" - Sarah Connolly
18. Ellens Gesang II, Op. 52 No. 2, D. 838 "Jäger, ruhe von der Jagd" - Sarah Connolly
19. Ellens Gesang III, Op. 52 No. 6, D. 839 "Ave Maria" - Sarah Connolly
20. Der Winterabend, D. 938 - John Mark Ainsley
21. Schwanengesang, D. 957: No. 14, Die Taubenpost (D. 965a) - Christopher Maltman