Carolyn Sampson, Kristian Bezuidenhout – Trennung: Songs of Separation (2022) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Carolyn Sampson, Kristian Bezuidenhout – Trennung: Songs of Separation (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:12:36 minutes | 2,71 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © BIS

This is a well conceived album that has clearly been subject to a thorough editorial process. Not content with having recorded over 100 vocal pieces, soprano Carolyn Sampson is stepping away from her global limelight to join Kristian Bezuidenhout (an inconspicuous pianofortist who is nevertheless still very active in terms of recordings and concerts, whether as a soloist or with best early music ensembles of the moment). Together, they’ve created an incredibly original programme based on separation and departure songs from the 18th century, a time period when a loved one’s absence could last for a long time, if not forever. This album has provided the perfect opportunity for these two curious minds to discover delightful, unknown pieces written by gifted composers who’ve remained hidden in the folds of time. They’re the perfect accompaniment to the safe and timeless works of Mozart and Haydn.

Their recording begins with a beautifully crafted hybrid work: a 12-minute long mini-opera by August Bernhard Valentin Herbing, a widely unknown assistant organist at Magdeburg Cathedral. Montan und Lalage tells the story of an eternal love that takes a wrong turn. This is a score which alternates between recitative, song, and piano interlude to perfectly capture exasperated sighs and existential questioning.

Melancholy is the main vehicle of expression for the songs by Friedrich Gottlob Fleischer and Christian Michael Wolff. The feelings that come with being separated from lovers and friends is what this sensitive catalogue aims to address, and this is perfectly expressed through Mozart and Haydn’s Lieder. A particular stand-out piece is their very moving interpretation of the cantata Arianna a Naxos in four parts; the perfect way to close this beautifully delicate collection of small, yet powerful, innately human dramas. – François Hudry

Tracklist:

1. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Herbing: Musikalischer Versuch: No. 3, Montan und Lalage (12:23)
2. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Mozart: Das Lied der Trennung, K. 519 (06:34)
3. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Fleischer: An den Schlaf (04:24)
4. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Mozart: An Chloe, K. 524 (02:32)
5. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Mozart: Als Luise die Briefe, K. 520 (01:44)
6. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Mozart: Abendempfindung, K. 523 (04:42)
7. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Wolff: An das Clavier (06:42)
8. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Fleischer: Das Clavier (02:57)
9. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Haydn: Der Verlassene, Hob. XXVIa:5 (04:41)
10. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Haydn: Vergiß mein nicht, Hob. XXVIa:46 (Antwort auf die Frage eines Mädchens) (03:41)
11. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Haydn: Das Leben ist ein Traum, Hob. XXVIa:21 (03:35)
12. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Haydn: Arianna a Naxos, Hob. XXVIb:2: No. 1, Teseo mio ben (06:10)
13. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Haydn: Arianna a Naxos, Hob. XXVIb:2: No. 2, Dove sei, mio bel tesoro? (04:25)
14. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Haydn: Arianna a Naxos, Hob. XXVIb:2: No. 3, Ma, a chi parlo? (04:01)
15. Carolyn Sampson & Kristian Bezuidenhout – Haydn: Arianna a Naxos, Hob. XXVIb:2: No. 4, Ah! Che morir vorrei (04:00)

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