Simone Kermes - Strauss & Mahler: Piano Quartets & Lieder (2014) [Official Digital Download]

Collaborating for the first time the Fauré Quartett and soprano Simone Kermes perform pieces by Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss: Featuring Lieder from Strauss‘s early productive period and Mahler Lieder arranged by Dietrich Zöllner.

Simone Kermes underlines with these Lieder interpretation the diversity of her stylistic sensibility. In equal measure the Fauré Quartett once again demonstrates the enormous range of its repertoire. The Fauré Quartett’s new recording of works by Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss borders on a small miracle: Strauss, as the founding father of the German performance and reproduction rights organisation GEMA, personally ensured that musicians were not permitted to make arrangements of his works until 70 years after his death (2019). After months of research, a direct call to the great-granddaughter of Richard Strauss allowed this arrangement to happen.

In time for the 150th birthday of Richard Strauss, and to express reverence to Gustav Mahler, this recording includes two works dating from the young years of these geniuses: their great and seldom recorded piano quartets.

“These have been skilfully undertaken by Dietrich Zollner and are nicely sung by Simone Kermes. The recorded sound too is sensitive to the nuances of the music.” (MusicWeb International)

“A flamboyant star in her native Germany, Simone Kermes is a dangerous, no-holds-barred singer.” (Gramophone)

Tracklist:

Richard Strauss (1864–1949)

01. Klavierquartett in C-Moll Op. 13: I. Allegro
02. Klavierquartett in C-Moll Op. 13: II. Scherzo
03. Klavierquartett in C-Moll Op. 13: III. Andante
04. Klavierquartett in C-Moll Op. 13: IV. Finale-Vivace
05. Cäcilie, Op. 27, Nr. 2
06. Die Nacht, Op. 10, Nr. 3
07. Morgen, Op. 27, Nr. 4
08. Zueignung, Op. 10, Nr. 1
09. Heimliche Aufforderung, Op. 27, Nr. 3
10. Allerseelen, Op. 10, Nr. 8

Gustav Mahler (1860–1911)

11. Erinnerung
12. Wo die schönen Trompeten blasen
13. Klavierquartett in A-Moll

Personnel:
Simone Kermes, soprano
Dirk Mommertz, piano
Faure Quartet