After years of relative neglect on recitals and recordings, several cycles of Brahms' complete songs are underway. This one by the 65-year-old Christoph Prégardien marks the first volume of a new one, and it compels attention. Prégardien keeps songs together by opus number, a decision generally preferable to murky thematic concepts or straight chronological ones. Here, he offers four nicely diverse sets that include both famed songs like Die Mainacht, Op. 43, No. 2, and Feldeinsamkeit, Op. 86, No. 2, as well as lesser-known ...
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After years of relative neglect on recitals and recordings, several cycles of Brahms' complete songs are underway. This one by the 65-year-old Christoph Prégardien marks the first volume of a new one, and it compels attention. Prégardien keeps songs together by opus number, a decision generally preferable to murky thematic concepts or straight chronological ones. Here, he offers four nicely diverse sets that include both famed songs like Die Mainacht, Op. 43, No. 2, and Feldeinsamkeit, Op. 86, No. 2, as well as lesser-known items such as the admittedly downbeat Todessehnen (Longing for Death), Op. 86, No. 6. However, the main attraction is Prégardien's way with a song. He takes some of them down a few steps, making him more of a baritone than a tenor, but he sounds great at an age when many singers have brought their careers to an end. In fact, he offers an exemplary performance in terms of dealing with advancing age. His readings are quiet, with a mysterious, oracular quality in the narrative songs...
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Over the past several years, I have heard been listening to the songs of Brahms including the ten-CD compilation on Hyperion of his complete songs under the direction of the scholar-pianist Graham Johnson. I was excited to learn that Naxos was beginning its own Brahms series under the direction of pianist Ulrich Eisenlohr who has recorded the complete Schubert songs in an earlier ambitious Naxos project. This, the first CD in the Naxos series, features a collaboration between lyric tenor Chirstoph Pregardien and Eisenlohr on the piano. It is a beautiful recording in every way.
Pregardien (b. 1956) has had a long career as a singer of opera, oratorio, and song. His performance of Brahms is expressive, nuanced, and thought through. The colaboration with Eisenlohr is close and intimate. For those listeners new to Brahms songs and those who love these works, this CD is an outstanding choice.
As did Graham Johnson, Eisenlohr wrote extensive liner notes for this CD; but his focus is slightly different. Johnson is skeptical about seeing a common thread in songs that Brahms grouped under a single opus number. Eisenlohr, in contrast, wants to look for common themes for the songs that Brahms grouped together even if the songs in the particular opus were composed many years apart and are of different styles and moods.
Thus, this CD includes four complete opus' of Brahms' songs: opp 32, 43, 86, and 105, for a total of 24 songs. Eisenlohr's notes offer comments on each song and also try to suggest a common theme within each opus. Texts and translations for the songs are available on the Naxos website.
Thus the four songs of op. 43 show various difficult love relationships, as do many Brahms songs. This opus includes one of Brahms' most famous songs, "Of Eternal Love" which receives a stunning performance. Eisenlohr suggests that the theme of the six opus 83 songs might be a "progressive farewell to life." The songs in this group include the introspective, deeply emotional "Field Solitude" setting a text by Hermann Allmers. Eisenlohr finds it difficult to see a common thread to the deeply introspective five songs of opus 105. This opus includes a deeply philosophical, reflective song, "In the Churchyard", describing a rainy day walk through a graveyard. The final set on this CD, the nine songs of opus 32 share a theme of "the transience of life and love in different psychological constellations." The opus ends on an optimistic note with the song "how delightful, my Queen" showing a beautiful integration of voice and piano.
The songs of Brahms are highly emotive and the most intimate, personal part of his output. The analyses of the songs are valuable, but the music speaks directly to the heart.
I loved revisiting the songs of Brahms in this recording and look forward to further CDs in the series.
![Brahms: Complete Songs, Vol.1 [Christoph Prégardien; Ulrich Eisenlohr] [Naxos: 8574268]](https://www2.alibris-static.com/cover/o83035adj7g_t.jpg)
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