Search - W.a. Mozart :: Mozart 21 Lieder

Convincing...

Mr Bassil A MARDELLI | Riad El-SOLH , Beirut Lebanon | 04/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am sure many will agree with me ALL music written by Mozart is superior in quality, performance and popularity. One would spend many hours listening to Mozart's music without being exposed to self-weariness.



`'Lieder `' songs are poetry and verses set to music where music predominate the texts.. Even if one doesn't read and make sense of poetry in its mother language, one will remain appreciative of the underlying meaning simply by listening to Mozart's spoken music.



These songs are written to idolize friendship, happiness, placidity (even seduction) that put the listener in a state of peace and quietness. Embedded in them there is also Romance in a period that was labeled `'Classical''.



In this recording we got 21 out of some 30 that were typical Mozart's style at the time, because he introduced minor changes to some texts to suit superfluity of his music, example `'The Violet'' written by Goethe. Mozart's joyous spirit was even there, he gave the slight changes that transpire his natural conviviality.



I find it strange that only four songs were published while he was still alive, most of which came out about the end of his life when his operas became important for Vienna's music repertoire and the proceeds were viable. Mozart needed that extra cash to improve his rather tight monetary situations.



KV 596 and 597 were written in the last year before his premature death (1791), could have been penned for his children.



Ridente la calma KV 152 (a calm smile awakens in my soul), is superb.



Komm liebe zither KV 351(Come dearest zither, come) is refined and romantic.

Abendenfindung KV 523 (1787), (Evening thoughts) is thoughtful and charming.



You will love it.

"

Stolen Gems

V. Stasov | 03/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Please don't hate this CD because of its bargain basement price. If price were the genuine indicator of excellence in the CD universe, this recording would cost a mint. At this rock bottom price, Mitsuko Shirai and Hartmut Holl's Mozart is a steal. Mitsuko Shirai has an exceptionally beautiful voice, ideal for lieder. Expressive, gleaming yet controlled, rich, effulgent, intelligent, and definitely not operatic! She recorded a great deal of lieder, and in this recording she hit the ball out of the park.



Even her Abendempfindung is as good as Schwarzkopf's version of this most beloved lied. In fact, I think the entire recording is as good as Mozart singing can get. And especially considering the rarity of performances of Mozart's lieder, Mitsuko Shirai can introduce you to a life long love affair with these Mozartian gems.



Until Schubert transformed the lied from elegant trifle to artistic masterpiece, the piano accompaniment and the texts of lieder were, typically, simply not outstanding examples of any composer's oeuvre. But given who the composer is, it not surprising to discover that even Mozart's little musical morsels such as these are brilliant, bewitching, and at times, ecstatic tours de force. Performing with her husband, Hartmut Holl, we are given an engaging recital of "passionate intelligence" that one is drawn to return to again and again. Only Schwarzkopf's recording with Gieseking can match Mistuko Shirai's Mozart lieder.



This husband and wife team met in the Stuttgart Conservatory, a seemingly unlikely match since the activist Holl eschewed what he thought were 'noisy' singers. In Shirai, he met his musical and intellectual match. They have recorded vast quantities of the lieder repertoire together. Her lush, wide ranging voice and his sensitive, supportive playing produce a magic partnership that will endure in recorded lieder's sacred archives."