Weber’s operas surface reasonably regularly in opera companies’ repertoire around the world as do his Clarinet Concertos and Clarinet Quintet. So it is a joy to welcome to CD for the first time, a recording of his songs, specifically selected for reissue by Christopher Hogwood. It was recorded with the young Martyn Hill in 1976 and the instrument is an original nineteenth-century fortepiano in the Colt Clavier Collection. The songs have more than a touch of Schubert about them but are a significant contribution to the Lieder repertoire in their own right. The genesis of this project is in itself a story worth telling and appears as part of Hogwood’s specially written introductory note.
CARL MARIA VON WEBER
Sechs Lieder, Op. 15
Sechs Lieder, Op. 30
Die Temperamente beim Verluste der Geliebten, Op. 46
Meine Farben, Op. 23 No. 1
Über die Berge mit Ungestüm, Op. 25 No. 2
Die gefangenen Sänger, Op. 47 No. 1
Die freien Sänger, Op. 47 No. 1
Die Zeit, Op. 13 No. 5
Das Veilchen im Thale, Op. 66 No. 1
Mein Schatzerl is hübsch, Op. 64 No. 1
Ich denke dein, Op. 66 No. 3
Elfenlied, Op. 80 No. 3
Martyn Hill, tenor
Christopher Hogwood, fortepiano
Executive Producer: Raymond Ware
Recording Producer: Peter Wadland
Balance Engineers: Iain Churches, Martin Haskell
Recording Location: Colt Clavier Collection, Bethersden, Kent, UK, 20–21 May 1976
‘This is a welcome record and a most attractive one … Throughout Hill shows himself a most sensitive Weber singer … [Hogwood’s] chiming arpeggios ring out delightfully. … Altogether, a most rewarding record.’ Gramophone