Brahms' Die schone Magelone

[Sean]

I'm presently trying to get to know Brahms' early song cycle, which at about 55mins is comparable with the two Schubert, both in length and expressive character and gesture. So far I find the writing a little muted and cautious (as per all Brahms) but it makes very pleasant and smooth listening, even if there's little comparison with the Four Serious songs cycle. There's plenty of melodic strength and interest as well though. Any thoughts from the cognoscenti?

[knight66]

As is usual with all your writings, any sense is vitiated by this kind of rubbish.

"So far I find the writing a little muted and cautious (as per all Brahms)"

I see he has dashed off yet again, more farewells than Judy Garland.

Mike

[king ubu]

One of the records I grew up with and have practically internalised:

[asin]B000028AYC[/asin]

There's also DFD with Richter, but the EMI ICON box where I've got it omits all the spoken parts, which is a drag!

[Mandryka]

One of the records I grew up with and have practically internalised:

[asin]B000028AYC[/asin]

There's also DFD with Richter, but the EMI ICON box where I've got it omits all the spoken parts, which is a drag!

For me it's essential to hear the narrative. I like the recording with Vanessa Redgrave doing the spoken parts in English (I don't understand German, so yours is little use to me), but I'm not at all keen on Pregardien and Staier. My favourite recording for the musical side is Peter Schreier with Peter Rosel, so I've made a playlist which just intersperses Redgrave's spoken words with Schreier's singing, and for me that's very satisfying.

[king ubu]

For me it's essential to hear the narrative.

agreed!

but I'm not at all keen on Pregardien and Staier.

where do they come into play? Did they do a recording with english narration?

Schreier could indeed be good here, got to look for that recordings, alas it's OOP.

I once sampled Blochwitz in a store (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001HQ2O0/), but left it behind even though it was cheap. Schneider's piano sounded like mash to me (though I like his playing on Schäfer's "Die Winterreise" just right).

[Mandryka]

agreed!
where do they come into play? Did they do a recording with english narration?

Schreier could indeed be good here, got to look for that recordings, alas it's OOP.

I once sampled Blochwitz in a store (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001HQ2O0/), but left it behind even though it was cheap. Schneider's piano sounded like mash to me (though I like his playing on Schäfer's "Die Winterreise" just right).

Yes, Schreier and Pregardien's recording is available in two different versions, one with Vanessa Redgrave narrating in English and one with some extremely well known German actor (whose name escapes me for the moment) doing it in German.

[king ubu]

That would be her: