Bernhard Sekles: Lieder – Aus dem Schi-King and other Songs
Bernhard Sekles (1872–1934) was one of the leading figures in German music in the first decades of the twentieth century, prominent as composer, educator and administrator. In 1928, as director of the Hoch Conservatorium in Frankfurt, he established the first academic programme in jazz studies, an act of courage and conviction that unleashed furious attacks from the Nazi press. His own late-Romantic music, banned during the Third Reich, has been virtually forgotten, although he composed in all major genres, including opera, orchestral works and chamber music. This first-ever album of his Lieder includes a major song-cycle, the freewheeling Aus dem Schi-King, based on ancient Chinese poetry in adaptations by Friedrich Rückert, its moods ranging from the heroic to the comic.
Malte Müller, tenor
Werner Heinrich Schmitt, piano
Mit Deutschem Kommentar
Listen To This Recording:
- No. 1 Der Einzige
- No. 2 Mädchenlied
- No. 3 Über’m Flusse drüben (Im Volkston)
- No. 4 Im Mondschein
- No. 5 Im Morgendämmer
- No. 6 Der Grenzwächter
- No. 7 Vergebliche Beschwörung
- No. 8 Trauer um Pe-Hi
- No. 9 Der Unrechte
- No. 10 Jägerliebchen
- No. 11 Begegnung
- No. 12 Das Frühlingsfest
- No. 13 Bei Regenwetter
- No. 14 Das schwarze Hofmannskleid
- No. 15 Die Folgsame
- No. 16 Wasserstille
- No. 17 Das Ahnenfest
- No. 18 Kriegslied der Fürstin
- No. 3 Treue Liebe
- No. 6 Abschied
- No. 6 Schelmenweise
- No. 7 Ich liebe dich!
- No. 1 Vom Scheiden
- No. 4 Die Versöhnung
Aus dem Schi-King, Op. 15 (publ. 1907)
Liebeslieder nach slawischen und romanischen Dichtungen, Op. 13 (publ. 1905)
Lieder-Kreis, Op. 8 (publ. 1901)
ALL EXCEPT * FIRST RECORDINGS
Fanfare :
‘Müller sings with the utmost involvement, and a constant attention to the text and its meaning. He is able to call upon an impressive range of dynamics and colors, all wedded to crystal-clear diction. He is, all told, a highly expressive singer.’
—Fanfare
Gapplegate Classical-Modern Music Review :
‘Contained within this program are a rather bracing set of songs adeptly handled by tenor Malte Muller and pianist Werner Neinrich Schmitt. The beautifully burnished, tonefully tuneful tenor joins with a heroically dashing piano brilliance and finely gradated coloring for some rewarding performances of which doubtless the composer would have approved. […]
The lieder featured in this rewarding set included his most acclaimed song cycle, the 1907 “Aus dem Shi-king,” but all represented here impress with inventive and well-wrought significance. They all deserve your attention and as first recordings they are happily finally here for us to appreciate in the years to come. Bravo Muller, Schmitt and all concerned.
If you like Lieder from this period this is a real find. Very recommended.’
—Grego Applegate Edwards, Gapplegate Classical-Modern Music Review