René Kollo, Jay Alexander & Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester - Romantische Abendlieder (2022) [Official Digital Download 24/88]

Two well-known tenor greats go on a special journey of discovery: René Kollo and Jay Alexander sing evening songs by Schubert, Brahms, Mendelssohn and Schumann. The famous songs from the Romantic era have all been rearranged for string orchestra and have been produced in this form in the studio for the first time. The unique album, which will be released on February 11, 2022, combines two well-known voices that complement each other perfectly in their differences. The two singers can be heard as a duet and as a soloist, creating a completely new listening experience for these songs.

Alexander and Kollo were enthusiastic about the cooperation. "Despite his great experience, René Kollo doesn't give the feeling that he is above things. Instead, he was full of enthusiasm and energy, and you could tell straight away that the focus was on the music,” reports Jay Alexander of the recording. René Kollo underscores the good partnership with the tenor colleague: “Jay does one side, I the other. I liked that. I'd heard him on TV a few times and said every time: he's learned it."

The tenors each connect their own story with the songs. Jay Alexander's parents sang Brahms' lullaby to him as a child and he passed it on to his own children. René Kollo describes himself as a romantic through and through. For him, however, the texts are also of great relevance, they represent the origin of everything from which the music emanates. He says: “Schubert's 'Die Winterreise' is a revolutionary song, one that attacks. It's a song about communism and revolution.” And Kollo's “Der Wanderer an den Mond” (The Wanderer to the Moon), which is often presented as a devotional art song, also sounds like a folk song.

Both tenors have sung a wide range of repertoire. René Kollo is not only one of the most legendary Wagner tenors of the 20th century, he also opens up to the so-called lighter muse. "People don't even think about the fact that you have to sing hits so lightly and loosely, but it's not that easy," he says. Romantic songs, on the other hand, have a very special place in his heart: “I have always given many song recitals. I've traveled all over the world with Irwin Gage, who was one of the best accompanists. Maybe the song got a little too short because I was always so busy with the big opera projects and recordings. But is there anything more beautiful than the "Winter Journey" or the "Poet's Love"? No."

"Romantische Abendlieder", which was recorded with the Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester, inspires with songs such as Schubert's "Im Abendrot", "An den Mond", Mendelssohn's "Nachtlied" and "Der Mond" as well as Schumann's "Mondnacht" and Brahms' "Lullaby". . For Jay Alexander, the collaboration with the orchestra was particularly intense: "You can get into these songs in a completely different way and embed your voice, that was a nice atmosphere. And the orchestra interpreted in such a differentiated and sensitive way – you could feel that the musicians put their heart and soul into it.” The result is an album with music that sounds like a dreamy nocturnal walk on a starry night.

Tracklist:
1. René Kollo & Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester – Der Wanderer an den Mond (01:57)
2. Jay Alexander & Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester – Mondnacht (03:13)
3. René Kollo & Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester – An den Mond (02:01)
4. Jay Alexander & Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester – Dichterliebe, Op. 48: No. 14, Allnächtlich im Traume (01:32)
5. René Kollo, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy & Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester – Sechs Gesänge, Op. 86: No. 5, Der Mond (01:59)
6. René Kollo, Jay Alexander & Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester – Der Mond ist aufgegangen (02:12)
7. Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester – Chanson de Nuit, Op. 15, No. 1 (03:21)
8. Jay Alexander & Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester – Wandrers Nachtlied, Op. 96 (02:28)
9. René Kollo & Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester – Liederkreis, Op. 39: No. 3, Waldesgespräch (02:05)
10. Jay Alexander & Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester – Abendfrieden (02:53)
11. Jay Alexander & Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester – Im Abendrot, D. 799 (03:29)
12. René Kollo & Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester – Sechs Lieder, Op. 71: No. 6, Nachtlied (02:40)
13. Andreas Hartmann & Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester – Thais: Méditation (04:26)
14. René Kollo, Jay Alexander & Mitteldeutsches Kammerorchester – Wiegenlied, Op. 49 (02:32)


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