Edith Mathis, Brigitte Fassbaender, Peter Schreier and Barry McDaniel sing Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzes
With Karl Engel and Heinz Medjimorec (piano)
Cast
Edith Mathis — Soprano
Brigitte Fassbaender — Mezzo-soprano
Peter Schreier — Tenor
Barry McDaniel — Bass
Karl Engel — Pianist
Heinz Medjimorec — Pianist
Program notes
An exceptional historical recording of Brahms' Liebeslieder, Op. 52.
Within the history of the Lied, Brahms's Liebeslieder, Op. 52 hold a special place. Moving away from the traditional music group made of a soloist accompanied by an instrument (most of the time the piano), Brahms composes a cycle for four voices and a four-hand piano. Brahms introduces thus a polyphonic pattern, combines soloist and choral episodes in a genre usually oriented towards the expression of an individual subject. Thanks to the waltz rhythm especially used throughout the cycle, Brahms gives a popular tone to his composition. However, beneath this apparent simplicity, the music expresses very deep and subtle feelings; a reason among many others which explain why the cycle of the Liebeslieder is still in the audience's mind one of the most popular work composed by Brahms.
