Wilhelm Kienzl: Four Song-Cycles
The Austrian composer Wilhelm Kienzl (1857–1941) – also a pianist, conductor, musicologist and writer on music – enjoyed the esteem of his contemporaries particularly for his vocal music. But his star has waned over the past century, and only a handful of his 238 songs have had recent recordings. In style they range from the simple and folk-like to the dramatic and quasi-operatic; their harmonic world likewise embraces both the diatonic and chromatic, with hints of the influence of Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Wagner and a foretaste of later composers. The four song-cycles recorded here treat the grand themes of life: love, loss, death and man’s interaction with nature.
Malte Müller, tenor
Werner Heinrich Schmitt, piano
Listen To This Recording:
Aus Friedrich Rückerts ‘Liebesfrühling’, Op. 11 (1876-77) (17:08)
- No. 1 So wahr die Sonne scheinet (1:17)
- No. 2 Da ich dich einmal gefunden (2:02)
- No. 3 Er ist gekommen in Sturm und Regen (1:22)
- No. 4 Komm’, verhüllte Schöne! (6:16)
- No. 5 Die gute Nacht, die ich dir sage (2:01)
- No. 6 Ich lag von sanftem Traum umflossen* (2:01)
- No. 7 Mir ist, nun ich dich habe* (2:09)
Drei Albumblätter für Gesang mit Klavier, Op. 24 (1881) (6:19)
- No. 1 Viel Träume (1:23)
- No. 2 Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer (2:54)
- No. 3 Ich liebe dich! (2:02)
Vier Lieder für eine Singstimme mit Begleitung des Pianoforte, Op. 44(1893-95) (11:10)
- No. 1 Winterlied (2:31)
- No. 2 Abendhelle (3:40)
- No. 3 Wie ist doch die Erde so schön! (2:01)
- No. 4 Meine Lust ist leben! (2:58)
Fünf Gesänge für eine hohe Singstimme mit Klavier, Op. 82 (1909) (17:24)
- No. 1 Liebesorakel (2:07)
- No. 2 Die Sterne (4:49)
- No. 3 Im Rosenduft (2:49)
- No. 4 Genesung (4:04)
- No. 5 Hinauf! (3:35)
Fanfare Magazine :
‘Kienzl [is] a worthy exponent of the Romantic German Lieder tradition.
‘The new Toccata disc, offering world premiere recordings […] affirms Kienzl’s affinity and gift for this art form. […] All of the featured songs are melodically engaging, and the vocal and piano writing rich, varied, and expressive. […]
[Malte Müller] artistry provides ample compensation. As I derive great pleasure from the later recordings of artists like Julius Patzak and Peter Pears, so I am convinced by Malte Müller’s interpretations of Sekles and Kienzl Lieder. Schmitt is once again an ever-attentive and intense collaborator. Full texts and translations, as well a detailed and informative essay by Dr. Carmen Ottner, are provided. Recommended.’
—Ken Meltzer ,Fanfare Magazine, July/Aug 2025