Notes and Editorial Reviews
Mozart's songs--at least some of them--have appeared on disc with reasonable frequency, but usually on compilations with works by other composers. A couple of editions claiming to be "complete" have been issued, but this newcomer overall is the best, combining the sincere, articulate interpretations of two accomplished if not always compelling singers performing 36 songs on two discs. One of the songs, "Luisens Antwort", is actually by Schubert, and is included for textual comparative purposes with Mozart's "Das Lied der Trennung"; another is likely an arrangement by Mozart of an original song by Czech composer Josef Myslivecek; a third--"Die Zufriedenheit"--appears in two essentially different
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versions, one with piano, the other a setting with mandolin accompaniment.
Most striking to a listener more or less unfamiliar with these songs is how substantial and durable and specialized many of them are. With a few exceptions these certainly are anything but minor amusements or even scraps from this or that opera wastebasket. Of course we take the high level of craftsmanship and melodic invention for granted; but because we don't often hear or even recognize Mozart as a "song composer"--certainly not in the manner of later composers such as Schubert--the opportunity to listen to all of his works in the genre--not just the usual, most popular examples--is something of a revelation as well as another reminder of his genius.
Speaking of Schubert, it's easy to hear more than a bit of the musical sensibility of that yet-to-be-born composer in songs such as "An Chloë" and "Abendempfindung an Laura"; and who can resist the beautiful, simple melody and artful text setting of "Das Traumbild"--Mozartean elegance at its finest. There's also plenty of drama in songs such as "Der Zauberer" and (in a near-operatic exposition) "Die Ihr des Unermeßlichen Weltalls Schöpfer ehrt".
All of these songs are given heartfelt and technically solid performances by soprano Ruth Ziesak and tenor Lothar Odinius, although overall Odinius, with his easy-on-the-ear, lyric timbre, delivers the more memorably expressive interpretations. Ziesak has a very pleasing light soprano but sometimes we might wish for a bit more emotional involvement, as in the popular "Das Veilchen". However, both singers are accomplished lieder recitalists (both have contributed admirably to Naxos' ongoing Schubert Edition) and so is their superb accompanist Ulrich Eisenlohr, who makes the most of Mozart's integral piano parts, which often seem to anticipate much later developments in lieder composition. The studio sound is detailed and well-balanced between voice and piano, although the latter could benefit from just a touch less brightness in the treble. Liner notes provide a thorough discussion of all the songs; texts and translations are available only from Naxos' website.
--David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com
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Works on This Recording
1.
Sehnsucht nach dem Frühling, K 596 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1791; Vienna, Austria
2.
Im Frühlingsanfang, K 597 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1791; Vienna, Austria
3.
Das Kinderspiel, K 598 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: 1791; Vienna, Austria
4.
Lobegesang auf die feierliche Johannisloge, K 148 (125h) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: ?1775-76; Salzburg, Austria
5.
Lied zur Gesellenreise, K 468 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: 1785; Vienna, Austria
6.
Die ihr des unermesslichen Weltalls Schöpfer ehrt, K 619 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1791; Vienna, Austria
7.
Wie unglücklich bin ich nit, K 147 (125g) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: 1775-1776; Salzburg, Austria
8.
Komm, liebe Zither, K 351 (367b) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1780-1781; Munich, Germany
9.
Die Verschweigung, K 518 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: 1787; Vienna, Austria
10.
An Chloë, K 524 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1787; Vienna, Austria
11.
Der Zauberer, K 472 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: 1785; Vienna, Austria
12.
Das Lied der Trennung, K 519 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1787; Vienna, Austria
13.
Luisens Antwort, D 319 by Franz Schubert
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1815; Vienna, Austria
14.
Die betrogene Welt, K 474 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1785; Vienna, Austria
15.
Als Luise die Briefe, K 520 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: 1787; Vienna, Austria
16.
Lied der Freiheit, K 506 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1785; Vienna, Austria
17.
Oiseaux, si tous les ans, K 307 (284d) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: 1777-1778; Mannheim, Germany
18.
Dans un bois solitaire, K 308 (295b) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1777-1778; Mannheim, Germany
19.
Ridente la calma, K 152 (210a) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1772-1775; Italy
20.
Die Zufriedenheit, K 349 (367a) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Lothar Odinius (Tenor),
Ariane Lorch (Mandolin)
Period: Classical
Written: 1780-1781; Munich, Germany
21.
Die Zufriedenheit, K 349 (367a) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: 1780-1781; Munich, Germany
22.
An die Freude, K 53 (47e) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1768; Vienna, Austria
23.
Verdankt sei es dem Glanz, K 392 (340a) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: 1781-1782; Vienna, Austria
24.
An die Einsamkeit, K 391 (340b) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1781; Vienna, Austria
25.
An die Hoffnung, K 390 (340c) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: 1781; Vienna, Austria
26.
Die Zufriedenheit, K 473 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: 1785; Vienna, Austria
27.
Die Alte, K 517 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1787; Vienna, Austria
28.
Die kleine Spinnerin, K 531 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1787; Vienna, Austria
29.
Beim Auszug in das Feld, K 552 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: 1788; Vienna, Austria
30.
German Church Songs (2), K 343 (336c) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: ?1787
31.
Des kleinen Friedrichs Geburtstag, K 529 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1787; Prague, Czech Republ
32.
Das Veilchen, K 476 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1785; Vienna, Austria
33.
Das Traumbild, K 530 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Written: 1787; Prague, Czech Republ
34.
Abendempfindung, K 523 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ruth Ziesak (Soprano),
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano)
Period: Classical
Written: 1787; Vienna, Austria
35.
Einsam bin ich, meine Liebe, K Anh. 26 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Ulrich Eisenlohr (Piano),
Lothar Odinius (Tenor)
Period: Classical
Featured Sound Samples
Sehnsucht nach dem Frühling
Die ihr des unermesslichen Weltalls Schöpfer ehrt
Sound Samples
Sehnsucht nach dem Fruhlinge, K. 596
Im Fruhlingsanfang, K. 597
Lobegesang auf die feierliche Johannisloge, K. 148, "O heiliges Band der Freundschaft"
Lied zur Gesellenreise, K. 468
Die ihr des unermesslichen Weltalls, K. 619
Komm, liebe Zither, K. 351
Die Verschweigung, K. 518
Das Lied der Trennung, K. 519
Die betrogene Welt, K. 474
Als Luise die Briefe, K. 520
Lied der Freiheit, K. 506
Oiseaux, si tous les ans, K. 307
Dans un bois solitaire, K. 308
Ridente la calma (arr. W.A. Mozart for voice and piano, K. 152/210a)
Die Zufriedenheit, K. 349 (with mandolin accompaniment): Die Zufriedenheit, K. 349 (version with mandolin accompaniment)
Die Zufriedenheit, K. 349 (with piano accompaniment): Die Zufriedenheit, K. 349 (version with piano accompaniment)
Verdankt sei es dem Glanz , K. 392
An die Einsamkeit, K. 391
Die Zufriedenheit, K. 473
Die Kleine Spinnerin, K. 531
Beim Auszug in das Feld, K. 552
2 German sacred songs, K. 343: No. 1. O Gottes Lamm
2 German sacred songs, K. 343: No. 2. Als aus Aegypten
Des kleinen Friedrichs Geburtstag, K. 529
Einsam bin ich, meine Liebe, K.Anh.26
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