Notes and Editorial Reviews
MENDELSSOHN
Songs with and without Words
•
Thomas Michael Allen (ten); Reinild Mees (pn)
•
ARS 38 479 (62:58
Text and Translation)
While Mendelssohn’s songs have not received the attention accorded his mature symphonies, concerti, and chamber music, the situation is significantly better than it once was. In addition to the complete Hyperion series with assorted soloists, there are presently available distinguished recital albums featuring Margaret Price with Graham Johnson
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(Hyperion/Helios), Barbara Bonney with Geoffrey Parsons (Teldec), Nathalie Stutzman with Dalton Baldwin (Elatus), Wolfgang Holzmair with Anna Wagner (Preiser), and the
sine qua non
collection of 40 songs recorded by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau with Gerald Moore (EMI). Against such august company, this new disc with tenor Thomas Michael Allen (not to be confused with noted British baritone Thomas Allen) need not fear comparison; it is a welcome, indeed notable, addition to the Mendelssohn discography. Allen, heretofore best known for his performances in Mozart and Baroque repertoire, wields his light, clear, slightly plangent tenor voice with complete technical security. Equally important is the first-rate artistry he brings to this recital, with finely shaded inflections of tone, subtle gradations of dynamics, well-placed breathing and accents, and nuanced attention to the texts. Also noteworthy is the splendidly sensitive accompaniment of Reinild Mees, who performs six
Lieder ohne Worte
as well accompanying Allen in 20 songs. Here she plays a period instrument, an Érard concert grand dating from 1844, with an uncommon beauty and richness of tone that belies all stereotypes of underpowered tinniness. The repertoire itself also contradicts any lingering stereotypes of Mendelssohn as a composer who only glided across the emotional surface; these are works of passion and ardor as well as grace and beauty. The recorded sound is warm, spacious, and on the resonant side, though not unduly so; full texts with translations are included. Strongly recommended.
FANFARE: James A. Altena
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Works on This Recording
1.
Songs (6), Op. 34: no 3, Frühlingslied by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Thomas Michael Allen (),
Reinild Mees (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1832; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 2 Minutes 51 Secs.
2.
Songs (6), Op. 19a: no 2, Das erste Veilchen by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Romantic
Written: 1830; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 2 Minutes 29 Secs.
3.
Frühlingsglaube, song for voice & piano (Unter Sternen No. 18), Op. 55/18 by Othmar Schoeck
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Post-Romantic
Written: 11/1941-01/1943
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 1 Minutes 48 Secs.
4.
Songs without words, vol 1, Op. 19b: no 4, Moderato in A major by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1829-1830; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 1 Minutes 30 Secs.
5.
Seemanns Scheidelied by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Romantic
Written: 1831; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 5 Minutes 27 Secs.
6.
Songs (6), Op. 19a: no 4, Neue Liebe by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Romantic
Written: by 1833; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 2 Minutes 0 Secs.
7.
Songs (6), Op. 34: no 2, Auf Flügeln des Gesanges by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Romantic
Written: 1836; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 3 Minutes 1 Secs.
8.
Songs (12), Op. 8: no 8, Andres Maienlied "Hexenlied" by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Romantic
Written: circa 1828; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 2 Minutes 31 Secs.
9.
Songs without words, vol 1, Op. 19b: no 6, Andante sostenuto "Venetian Gondola Song" by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1830; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 1 Minutes 56 Secs.
10.
Songs (6), Op. 57: no 5, Venetianisch Gondellied by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Thomas Michael Allen (),
Reinild Mees (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1842; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 2 Minutes 33 Secs.
11.
Songs (6), Op. 57: no 6, Wanderlied by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Thomas Michael Allen (),
Reinild Mees (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1841; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 1 Minutes 58 Secs.
12.
Songs (6), Op. 19a: no 1, Frühlingslied by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Romantic
Written: 1830; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 1 Minutes 40 Secs.
13.
Songs (6), Op. 47: no 3, Frühlingslied by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Romantic
Written: 1839; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 2 Minutes 42 Secs.
14.
Songs without words, vol 3, Op. 38: no 2, Allegro non troppo in C minor by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1836; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 1 Minutes 57 Secs.
15.
Songs (6), Op. 71: no 6, Nachtlied by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Thomas Michael Allen (),
Reinild Mees (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1847; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 3 Minutes 6 Secs.
16.
Songs without words, vol 4, Op. 53: no 2, Allegro non troppo in E flat major by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1835; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 2 Minutes 24 Secs.
17.
Songs (6), Op. 86: no 5, Der Mond by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Thomas Michael Allen (),
Reinild Mees (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 1 Minutes 59 Secs.
18.
Songs (6), Op. 19a: no 6, Reiselied by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Romantic
Written: 1830; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 3 Minutes 7 Secs.
19.
Songs (6), Op. 34: no 1, Minnelied by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Romantic
Written: 1834; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 1 Minutes 38 Secs.
20.
Songs without words, vol 3, Op. 38: no 3, Presto in E major by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1835; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 1 Minutes 53 Secs.
21.
Songs (6), Op. 71: no 4, Schilflied by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Romantic
Written: 1842; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 3 Minutes 7 Secs.
22.
Songs (6), Op. 71: no 5, Auf der Wanderschaft by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Romantic
Written: 1847; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 1 Minutes 48 Secs.
23.
Songs without words, vol 6, Op. 67: no 5, Moderato in B minor by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1844; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 1 Minutes 52 Secs.
24.
Songs (6), Op. 34: no 6, Reiselied by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Romantic
Written: 1836; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 2 Minutes 49 Secs.
25.
Songs (12), Op. 9: no 3, Wartend by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Romantic
Written: 1830; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 2 Minutes 23 Secs.
26.
Romances (2) for Voice and Piano: no 2, Sun of the Sleepless by Felix Mendelssohn
Performer:
Reinild Mees (Piano),
Thomas Michael Allen ()
Period: Romantic
Written: 1834; Germany
Venue: Singelkerk, Amsterdam
Length: 2 Minutes 6 Secs.
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