Notes and Editorial Reviews
Born Elisabeth Sara Ameling on 8 February 1933 in Rotterdam, the Dutch soprano known as Elly Ameling won first prize at the Vocal Concours in ’s- Hertogenbosch in Holland in 1956, and the Concours International de Musique in Geneva in 1958. She gave her first formal recital in Amsterdam in 1961 and went on to perform for more than thirty years in virtually every major cultural centre in the world as one of the greatest singers of our age, renowned for her warm, unaffected personality, purity of tone and effortless technique. She made her career mainly as a concert and lieder singer, with some appearances in opera (Mozart and Haydn), and became renowned for her recitals of French and German songs and for her superlative interpretative gifts.
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CD1 begins with two solo cantatas for soprano by Johann Sebastian Bach – the famous Wedding Cantata (BWV202) and ‘Non sa che sia dolore’ (BWV209) – followed by further arias from Bach cantatas and oratorios.
CD2 presents more music by Bach, with a collection of beautiful soprano arias from cantatas, accompanied by oboe and bass continuo. The oboe soloist is the Dutch virtuoso Han de Vries, who plays three different types of instrument, namely the normal oboe, the ‘oboe da caccia’ and the ‘oboe d’amore’, as specified by the composer, to striking musical effect in the various arias.
In CD3 Ameling shows her skill as an unrivalled interpreter of the music of Schubert with a collection of the composer’s best-known and most popular Lieder including ‘Die Forelle’, ‘Ave Maria’, ‘Gretchen am Spinnrade’ and ‘An die Musik. The piano accompanists are Irwin Gage and Jörg Demus.
CD4 opens with Schubert’s great showpiece for soprano and clarinet: ‘Der Hirt auf dem Felsen’ (‘The Shepherd on the Rock’), in which the clarinet soloist is George Pietersen, plus three other Schubert songs. These are followed by a group of songs by Mozart, including ‘Ridente la calma’, ‘Dans un bois solitaire’ and ‘Un moto di gioia’. The soprano is accompanied by Irwin Gage in the Schubert and Jörg Demus in the Mozart.
In CD5-6, Ameling moves into the field of French song, for which she was trained by the famous French baritone Pierre Bernac. Her repertoire here encompasses many well-known songs by Gabriel Fauré, Claude Debussy and Francis Poulenc. She is accompanied by the distinguished pianist Dalton Baldwin, with whom she frequently performed.
In CD7 we hear a collection of much loved popular songs, typical of the mixed programmes with which the artist always delighted her audiences at recitals. These include Mendelssohn’s ‘Auf Flügeln des Gesanges’ (‘On Wings of Song’) and Grieg’s ‘Ich liebe dich’ (‘I Love You’). The disc closes with a further group of French mélodies by Poulenc.
CD8 begins with a collection of Christmas songs from many lands, to which Ms Ameling brings her own special charm. Then comes a typical example of Ameling as a participant in a large-scale liturgical work, in the Kyrie from Beethoven’s Mass in C, where her clearly focussed voice blends perfectly with those of her three fellow soloists. The programme ends with the finale from Mahler’s Fourth Symphony, in which Ameling is heard as the radiant soprano soloist extolling the joys of heaven in a child-like way, with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conducted by André Previn. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Mass in C major, Op. 86: Kyrie by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performer:
Theo Altmeyer (Tenor),
Dame Janet Baker (Mezzo Soprano),
Marius Rintzler (Bass),
Elly Ameling (Soprano)
Conductor:
Carlo Maria Giulini
Orchestra/Ensemble:
New Philharmonia Orchestra,
New Philharmonia Chorus
Period: Classical
Written: 1807; Vienna, Austria
2.
An die Musik, D 547 by Franz Schubert
Performer:
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Jörg Demus (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1817; Vienna, Austria
Date of Recording: 01/1970
Venue: Zehlendorf, Berlin
Length: 2 Minutes 52 Secs.
Language: German
3.
Ständchen, D 889 by Franz Schubert
Performer:
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Jörg Demus (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1826; Vienna, Austria
Date of Recording: 01/1970
Venue: Zehlendorf, Berlin
Length: 3 Minutes 48 Secs.
Language: German
4.
Der Hirt auf dem Felsen, D 965/Op. 129 by Franz Schubert
Performer:
George Pieterson (Clarinet),
Irwin Gage (Piano),
Elly Ameling (Soprano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1828; Vienna, Austria
Date of Recording: 10/1971
Venue: Zehlendorf, Berlin
Length: 11 Minutes 53 Secs.
Language: German
5.
Symphony no 4 in G major: 4th movement, Das himmlische Leben by Gustav Mahler
Performer:
Elly Ameling (Soprano)
Conductor:
André Previn
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1899-1900; Austria
6.
Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten, BWV 93: no 6, Ich will auf den Herren schau'n by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Han de Vries (Oboe),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Albert de Klerk (Organ),
Richte Van der Meer (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: 1724; Leipzig, Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
7.
Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 177: Verleih', dass Ich aus Herzens Grund by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Albert de Klerk (Organ),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Han de Vries (Oboe Da Caccia),
Richte Van der Meer (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
8.
Was frag ich nach der Welt, BWV 94: Es halt' es mit der blinden Welt by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Albert de Klerk (Organ),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Han de Vries (Oboe D'amore),
Richte Van der Meer (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
9.
Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten, BWV 202 "Wedding Cantata": Sich üben im Lieben by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Richte Van der Meer (Cello),
Han de Vries (Oboe),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Albert de Klerk (Organ)
Period: Baroque
Written: circa 1718-1723; Cöthen, Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
10.
Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin, BWV 144: no 5, Genügsamkeit ist ein Schatz in diesem Leben by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Albert de Klerk (Organ),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Han de Vries (Oboe D'amore),
Richte Van der Meer (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: 1724; Leipzig, Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
11.
Was soll ich aus dir machen, Ephraim, BWV 89: no 5, Gerechter Gott, ach, rechnest du? by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Han de Vries (Oboe),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Albert de Klerk (Organ),
Richte Van der Meer (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: 1723; Leipzig, Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
12.
Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis, BWV 21: no 3, Seufzer, Tränen, Kummer, Not by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Han de Vries (Oboe),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Albert de Klerk (Organ),
Richte Van der Meer (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: 1714; Cöthen, Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
13.
Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: no 39, Flösst, mein Heiland by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Han de Vries (Oboe),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Albert de Klerk (Organ),
Richte Van der Meer (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: Leipzig, Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
14.
Es wartet alles auf dich, BWV 187: Gott versorget alles Leben by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Han de Vries (Oboe),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Albert de Klerk (Organ),
Richte Van der Meer (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
15.
Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut, BWV 199: Stumme Seufzer, stille Klagen by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Han de Vries (Oboe),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Albert de Klerk (Organ),
Richte Van der Meer (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
16.
Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, BWV 98: Hört, Ihr Augen, auf zu weinen by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Han de Vries (Oboe),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Albert de Klerk (Organ),
Richte Van der Meer (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
17.
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1: no 3, Erfullet, ihr himmlischen gottlichen Flammen by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Albert de Klerk (Organ),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Han de Vries (Oboe Da Caccia),
Richte Van der Meer (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: 1725; Leipzig, Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
18.
Die Elenden sollen essen, dass sie satt werden, BWV 75: Ich nehme mein Leiden mit Freuden auf mich by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Albert de Klerk (Organ),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Han de Vries (Oboe D'amore),
Richte Van der Meer (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: 1723; Cöthen, Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
19.
Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten, BWV 74: no 2, Komm, komm, mein Herze by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Han de Vries (Oboe Da Caccia),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Richte Van der Meer (Cello),
Albert de Klerk (Organ)
Period: Baroque
Written: 1725; Leipzig, Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
20.
Missa brevis in F major, BWV 233: Qui tollis peccata mundi by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Albert de Klerk (Organ),
Elly Ameling (Soprano),
Han de Vries (Oboe),
Richte Van der Meer (Cello)
Period: Baroque
Written: after 1735; Leipzig, Germany
Date of Recording: 1983
Venue: Pieterskerk, Utrecht
Sound Samples
Wedding Cantata BWV 202: Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten: Adagio: Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten
Wedding Cantata BWV 202: Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten: Recit: Die Welt wird wieder neu
Wedding Cantata BWV 202: Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten: Aria: Phöbus eilt mit scnellen Pferden
Wedding Cantata BWV 202: Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten: Recit: D'rum sucht auch Amor sein Vergnügen
Wedding Cantata BWV 202: Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten: Aria: Wenn die Frühlingslüfte streichen
Wedding Cantata BWV 202: Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten: Recit: Und dieses ist das Glücke
Wedding Cantata BWV 202: Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten: Aria: Sich üben im Lieben
Wedding Cantata BWV 202: Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten: Gavotte: Sehet in Zufriedenheit
Cantata BWV 209: Non sa che sia dolore: I. Sinfonia
Cantata BWV 209: Non sa che sia dolore: II. Recitative: Non sa che sia dolore
Cantata BWV 209: Non sa che sia dolore: III. Aria: Parti pur e con dolore
Cantata BWV 209: Non sa che sia dolore: IV. Recitative: Tuo saver al tempo
Cantata BWV 209: Non sa che sia dolore: V. Aria: Ricetti gramezza e pavento
Kantate "Eine feste Burg ist unser Gott" BWV 80 (1995 Digital Remaster): IV. Komm in mein Herzenshaus (Arie Bass)
Cantata No. 147, BWV 147 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben', Part I: Aria: Bereite dir, Jesu, noch itzo die Bahn (S)
Kantate 149 (1995 - Remaster): Gottes Engel weichen nie
Johannes-Passion (St. John Passion) BWV 245 (1989 Digital Remaster), First Part: Ich folge dir gleichfalls mit freudigen Schritten (Nr.13: Aria - Sopran)
Johannes-Passion (St. John Passion) BWV 245 (1989 Digital Remaster), Second Part: Zerfließe, mein Herze (Nr.63: Aria - Sopran)
Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 (1996 Digital Remaster), CANTATA 6: Nur ein Wink
Wer nun den lieben Gott lässt walten (Cantata BWV93) Ich will auf den Herren schau'n
Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ (Cantata BWV177) Verleih', dass ich aus Herzens Grund
Was frag ich nach der Welt (Cantata BWV94) Es halt' es mit der blinden Welt
Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten (Cantata BWV202) Sich üben im Lieben
Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin (Cantata BWV144 ) Genügsamkeit
Was soll ich aus dir machen, Ephraim? (Cantata BWV89) Gerechter Gott, ach, rechnest du?
Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis (Cantata BWV21) Seufzer, Tränen, Kummer, Not
Christmas Oratorio BWV248 Flösst, mein Heiland, flösst dein Namen (Cantata No.4)
Es wartet alles auf dich (Cantata BWV187) Gott versorget alles Leben
Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut (Cantata BWV199) Stumme Seufzer, stille Klagen
Wass Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan (Cantata BWV98) Hört, ihr Augen, auf zu weinen
Wie schön leuchet der Morgenstern (Cantata BWV1) Erfüllet, ihr himmloschen göttlichen Flamen
Die Elenden sollen essen (Cantata BWV75) Ich nehme mein Leiden mit Freuden auf mich
Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten (Cantata BWV74)Komm. komm. mein Herze steht dir offen
Missa brevis BWV233 Qui tollis peccata mund
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