Loewe: Frauenliebe

Carl Loewe was one of the progenitors of the Romantic lied, popularising the form through his many recital tours, and it is perhaps his misfortune that his settings of lyric poems – by Goethe, Rückert and Heine – were to be superseded by those of his more famous contemporaries. Included here is his setting of Chamisso’s cycle Frauenliebe, which provides an interesting comparison with that of Schumann, composed four years later – Loewe renders ‘An meinem Herzen’ as an affecting lullaby.

Our rating

5

Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:06 pm

COMPOSERS: Loewe
LABELS: DG Masters
WORKS: Frauenliebe
PERFORMER: Brigitte Fassbaender (mezzo-soprano), Cord Garben (piano)
CATALOGUE NO: 445 575-2 DDD (1988)

Carl Loewe was one of the progenitors of the Romantic lied, popularising the form through his many recital tours, and it is perhaps his misfortune that his settings of lyric poems – by Goethe, Rückert and Heine – were to be superseded by those of his more famous contemporaries. Included here is his setting of Chamisso’s cycle Frauenliebe, which provides an interesting comparison with that of Schumann, composed four years later – Loewe renders ‘An meinem Herzen’ as an affecting lullaby. Brigitte Fassbaender makes a strong case for these songs, bringing out the charm, pathos and wit through her customary interpretative intelligence and vocal assurance. William Humphreys-Jones

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