A fine merger of artistry by poet, composer, singer and keyb
Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 08/07/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"German tenor Jan Kobow is the subject in Naxos' sixth installment of its "Poets of Sensibility" series. I haven't heard the other five volumes but I cannot imagine a better merger of voice, keyboard, poetry and music than this one.
The star is Kobow, a 30-something winner of the 1998's International Bach Competition in Leipzig, is a lyric tenor with heldentenor sensibilities if not the instrument to match. His variable styling is widely displayed in this concert of songs from four poets of Schubert's time in Germany and Switzer Gaudenz von Salis-Seewis. Most of you won't immediately be able to tell what the poems are about since Naxos, true to its form, does not include German texts and English translations with the package. You have to download them from a Naxos site.
But Kobow isn't the whole show here. Keyboardist Ulrich Eisenlohr, who is a staple player in the Naxos lieder series, delivers the goods in spades on a fortepiano. The combination of Romantic-era poetry with Kobow's pleasing instrument and Eisenlohr's ancient instrument is a plummy combination. It is pleasing to the ear and sensibilities, even moreso than the poets of sensibility.
You can get an idea of all that's involved here through these excerpts:
Track 3, Der Entfernten (To the Distant Beloved) D. 350 Eisenlohr displays the exemplary keyboard part Schubert wrote, one that enhances his reputation of giving the supporting instrumentalist as much to do as the singer.
Track 5, Ins stille Land (Into the Peaceful Land) D. 403 4th version shows Kobow's marvelous vocal span from piano to forte and back in a quarter note's time.
Track 6, Fischerlied (The Fisherman's Song) D. 351 (1st setting) displays the best collaboration of poetry, music, singing and accompaniment in the 2:45 duration, making it one of the longer pieces on the album.
Track 10, An die Harmonie (To Harmony) D. 394 displays Kobow's combination of power and lyricism to best effect.
A review of this CD in an American classical magazine said Kobow's rendition of Schubert's Schwanengesang Schubert: Schwanengesang was one of the best lieder recordings from last year. If so, this one may be its equal this year. This is a singer with a memorable instrument that is dedicated to lieder and makes the most of its intimate moments. You won't go wrong with this CD."
