Katharine Dain, Ásdís Valdimarsdóttir, Edward Janning - Stolen Schubert (2022) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

To anyone who plays chamber music of any sort, Schubert’s music is a wonderful world to enter. It lifts our spirit to a dreamlike state of awe that is quite unique, with it sweeping long lines and pure poetry. The masterpieces on this cd were ‘stolen’ from Schubert’s original instrumentation. Start with the Arpeggione sonata, originally written for the ‘Arpeggione’, a bowed instrument with six strings and frets, tuned like a guitar but played like a gamba.

But now played on the viola (with gut strings) and an Erard piano (1851). The mellow timbre of the Erard removes any struggle for balance and wonderfully complements the warmth of the viola sound. 



Schubert wrote an immense amount of Lieder; songs for voice and piano. Only two of them are written for voice and piano with an extra instrument; ‘Hirt auf dem Felsen’ with clarinet and ‘Auf dem Strom’ with French horn. Since both these instruments have a similar range to the viola, Ásdís Valdimarsdóttir decided to steal them both for her instrument, the viola.

It may seem rather audacious to attempt to play the vocal part of any of Schubert’s iconic Lieder on the viola.

‘Die Winterreise’ is so strong on its own; it can have a life without the text. Please listen and then judge.

Tracklist:
1. Arpeggione Sonata in A minor I. Allegro Moderato (11:40)
2. Arpeggione Sonata in A minor II. Adagio (03:35)
3. Arpeggione Sonata in A minor III. Allegretto (09:22)
4. Auf dem Strom (09:01)
5. Songs from Winterreise - Rast (03:33)
6. Songs from Winterreise - Frühlingstraum (03:59)
7. Songs from Winterreise - Der Greise Kopf (02:30)
8. Songs from Winterreise - Täuschung (01:29)
9. Songs from Winterreise - Der Wegweiser (04:20)
10. Der Hirt auf dem Felsen (11:51)


Thanks to the Original customer!