Brahms: The Complete Songs Vol. 1

• Audio Samples
• Album Summary
• Notes & Reviews
• Also Purchased
• Works Details

Audio Samples

Album Summary

Performers

• Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Graham Johnson (Piano)

Composer

• Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897)

Notes & Reviews:

Graham Johnson's complete Schubert and Schumann songs series for Hyperion are landmarks in the history of recorded music. Now this indefatigable performer and scholar turns to the songs and vocal works of Brahms. Each disc of this series will take a journey through Brahms' life and career. The songs are not quite presented in chronological order, but they do appear here in the order that the songs were presented to the world. In a number of these Hyperion recitals, an opus number will be presented in its entirety (in the case of this disc, Op. 48). The folksongs of 1894 will be shared between all the singers in the series. The celebrated mezzo-soprano Angelika Kirchschlager is featured in the debut release in the series. She enjoys an international career as one of today's most important singers, dividing her time between recitals and opera in Europe, North America and the Far East.

"Listeners familiar with pianist Graham Johnson's surveys of the complete songs of Schubert, Schumann, and Strauss for Hyperion will know what to expect in this first volume in a projected series of recordings of the complete songs of Brahms - great singing, great accompaniments, great program, great notes, and great sound - and this disc does not disappoint. As before, Johnson has picked exactly the right singer for the songs he's chosen...In Hyperion's close but not too close digital sound, it all makes for as splendid a Brahms song recital as has been released in years, and the fact that it is only the first volume makes it all the sweeter." - All Music Guide

"Brahm's musical diary. It is well known from several notorious anecdotes that Brahms's feelings were hidden deep under his often rude behavior. But his songs give us a glimpse of his soul, when he, inspired by the texts of the poets, comments with his music on love, hate, joy, and many other emotions and so reveals his innermost thoughts...Listeners who want to be completely knowledgeable about the background of the songs, their poets, and the circumstances of their creation, will probably find all their questions answered in the liner notes by Graham Johnson. I have rarely read such informative descriptions, and such thorough research is always enlightening."-American Record Guide

'The first volume of what promises, on the evidence of this disc, to be yet another absorbing and invaluable encyclopaedia of a songmaster's life and work. Graham Johnson, once again, is both mastermind and pianist, and, as ever, his accompanying notes and essays are as witty and richly allusive as his playing ... This recital is beautifully shaped - from the way in which the little opening diptych of songs leads to Angelika Kirchschlager's disarmingly intimate performance of 'Von ewiger Liebe' to the irresistible quartet of Deutsche Volkslieder at the end' (BBC Music Magazine)

'Johnson has that rare ability to combine a breathtaking depth of scholarship with great immediacy in performance ... [Kirchschlager] A very fine imagination is at play, doing things with tone, colour and dynamics that are utterly beguiling. Johnson is, as you might expect, immaculate' (The Guardian)

'This selection keeps springing pleasant surprises. Kirchschlager's articulation can be veiled, but she always sings with feeling, and Graham Johnson expertly judges the quirky piano accompaniments. His notes, as usual, are awesomely detailed' (The Times)

'Angelika Kirchschlager and Graham Johnson's interpretations make these a thrilling experience' (American Record Guide)

'Kirchslager is a perfect choice to begin the series, as Janet Baker had been for Schubert a decade ago. Angelika's mezzo voice is mellifluous and comforting to bring into your sitting room. Attentive to the meanings of every line, but not overly dramatic, she sustains attention through the whole recital easily. Again and again, guided by Johnson in words and at the keyboard, there are moments of heightened appreciation of Brahms, a consummate lieder composer' (MusicalPointers.co.uk)

Notes & Reviews:

Recording information: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008).

Reviews

Also Purchased

Works Details

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (5) for voice & piano, Op. 19 :: Scheiden und Meiden, Op. 19/2

• Performers: Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano); Graham Johnson (Piano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 1 min. 10 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Written: 1858-1859

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (5) for voice & piano, Op. 19 :: In der Ferne, Op. 19/3

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 2 min. 20 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Written: 1858-1859

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (4) for voice & piano, Op. 46

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 4 min. 51 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Form: Vocal
• Written: 1864

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (7) for voice & piano, Op. 48

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 1 min. 22 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Written: 1869

Brahms, Johannes : Der Überläufer ("In den Garten wollen wir gehen"), song for voice & piano, Op. 48/2

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 1 min. 43 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Written: 1855

Brahms, Johannes : Liebesklage des Mädchens ("Wer sehen will zween"), song for voice & piano, Op. 48/3

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 1 min. 29 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic

Brahms, Johannes : Gold überweigt die Liebe ("Sternchen mit dem trüben Schein"), song for voice & piano, Op. 48/4

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 1 min. 25 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic

Brahms, Johannes : Trost in Thränen ("Wie kommts, dass du so traurig bist"), song for voice & piano, Op. 48/5

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 3 min. 12 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic

Brahms, Johannes : Vergangen ist mir Glück und Heil, song for voice & piano, Op. 48/6

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 4 min. 5 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic

Brahms, Johannes : Herbstgefühl ("Wie wenn im frost'gen Windhauch tödlich"), song for voice & piano, Op. 48/7

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 3 min. 28 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Written: 1867

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (8) for voice & piano, Op. 58 :: O komme, holde Sommernacht vershwiegen, Op. 58/4

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 1 min. 11 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (8) for voice & piano, Op. 59 :: Dämmrung senkte sich von oben, Op. 59/1

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 3 min. 57 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Written: 1870

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (8) for voice & piano, Op. 59 :: Auf dem See, Op. 59/2

• Performers: Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano); Graham Johnson (Piano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 3 min. 15 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Written: 1873

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (9) for voice & piano, Op. 63 :: Junge Liebe I, Op. 63/5

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 1 min. 38 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Written: 1873-1874

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (9) for voice & piano, Op. 63 :: Junge Liebe II, Op. 63/6

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 2 min. 14 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (9) for voice & piano, Op. 69 :: Salome, Op. 69/8

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 2 min. 2 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Written: 03/1877

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (4) for voice & piano, Op. 70 :: Abendregen, Op. 70/4

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 5 min. 17 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Written: 1875

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (6) for voice & piano, Op. 86

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 1 min. 36 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Written: 1878

Brahms, Johannes : Feldeinsamkeit, Op. 86/2

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 3 min. 1 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Form: Vocal
• Written: 1878

Brahms, Johannes : Nachtwandler, Op. 86/3

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 3 min. 16 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic

Brahms, Johannes : Über die Heide, song for voice & piano, Op. 86/4

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 2 min. 1 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic

Brahms, Johannes : Versunken ("Es brausen der Liebe Wogen"), song for voice & piano, Op. 86/5

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 2 min. 2 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (7) for voice & piano, Op. 95 :: Bei dir sind meine Gedanken, Op. 95/2

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 1 min. 44 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (7) for voice & piano, Op. 95 :: Beim Abschied, Op. 95/3

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 1 min. 4 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic

Brahms, Johannes : Songs (7) for voice & piano, Op. 95 :: Der Jäger, Op. 95/4

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 1 min. 17 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Written: 1884

Brahms, Johannes : German folk songs (49) for voice & piano, WoO 33 :: Da unten im Tale

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 1 min. 58 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Form: Vocal
• Written: 1894

Brahms, Johannes : German folk songs (49) for voice & piano, WoO 33 :: Soll sich der Mond nicht heller scheinen

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 3 min. 11 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Written: 1894

Brahms, Johannes : German folk songs (49) for voice & piano, WoO 33 :: Feinsliebchen, du sollst mir nicht barfuss gehn

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 3 min. 4 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Form: Vocal
• Written: 1894

Brahms, Johannes : German folk songs (49) for voice & piano, WoO 33 :: Och Moder, ich well en Ding han!

• Performers: Graham Johnson (Piano); Angelika Kirchschlager (Mezzo-Soprano)
• Notes: All Saints, Durham Road, East Finchley, London (08/18/2008-08/20/2008)
• Running Time: 2 min. 17 sec.
• Period Time: Romantic
• Written: 1894