2021.7.9 Singen und Singen – Poetry and Song –
Gather in the Forest of Lieder, Vol. 2
F. Schubert
Baritone: Yusuke Koike
Piano: Norihiko Ide
F. Schubert
from Schwanengesang
1. Liebesbotschaft
2. Frühlingssehnsucht
3. Aufenthalt
4. In der Ferne
5. Abschied
6. Ihr Bild
7. Das Fischermädchen
8. Die Stadt
9. Am Meer
10. Der Doppelgänger
11. Die Taubenpost
Piano: Steinway Hamburg (Model B211)
Schubert’s Schwanengesang, though published in the form of a song cycle, does not have a single continuous narrative plot like the earlier Die schöne Müllerin and Winterreise. Schwanengesang consists of settings of seven poems by Rellstab, six by Heine, and one by Seidl. Thirteen of the fourteen songs were composed in August 1828, the year of Schubert’s death; the remaining song, to a poem by Seidl, dates from October, just before he died.
After Schubert’s death, these Lieder were entrusted to a music publisher by his brother Ferdinand. The publisher Haslinger gave the collection the overall title Schwanengesang (“Swan Song”), drawing on the tradition that a swan sings beautifully once as it dies.
At the time, Schubert was imagining a new kind of song collection, different from Die schöne Müllerin and Winterreise. He felt especially drawn to the poetry of Rellstab and Heine, selected related poems from both, and began to set them. The same may be said of Seidl’s poem that closes Schwanengesang. In fact, he had spoken of publishing these songs together as a set.
Yusuke Koike, baritone
Graduated from the Vocal Music Department, Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts. Received the Doseikai Prize and the Acanthus Prize upon graduation. Currently enrolled in the Vocal Music major of the university’s Graduate School of Music. Studied voice with Futoshi Katsube, Yoji Kawakami, and Jun Hagiwara. Has frequently appeared as bass soloist in sacred works including J.S. Bach’s Mass in B minor and St. Matthew Passion, numerous church cantatas, G.F. Handel’s Messiah, and the role of Elijah in F. Mendelssohn’s Elijah. In 2019 appeared in the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival OMF Chamber Music Study Session — Lied Duo — and received coaching in German Lieder from Mitsuko Shirai. Vocal member of Bach Collegium Japan.
Norihiko Ide, piano
Born in Shizuoka Prefecture. Graduated from the piano major at Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music. In 2006 moved to Austria and studied in the Lied accompaniment department at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna under David Lutz. Since returning to Japan, has appeared as accompanist in many Lieder concerts, including the Kitakyushu International Music Festival German Lieder Salon Concert, Toho Gakuen Faculty Concerts, and song evenings presented by the Japan Richard Strauss Society. Recent work includes piano for baritone Teruhiko Komori’s CD R. Strauss Lieder and piano for the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan-presented opera Wolf Italian Songbook.
Toshiki Tsumuraya, piano
Born in Furudono, Fukushima Prefecture. A distinctive performer active as both harpsichordist and pianist. Graduated from both the Vocal Music Department and the Early Music harpsichord major in the Instrumental Music Department at Tokyo University of the Arts. Member of Ensemble Muromachi. Also highly regarded as a pianist and coach; many singers and instrumentalists request him as collaborator. Recipient of the Kinoshita Prize (Collaboration) at the 88th Japan Music Competition. Founder of the early-music orchestra Promusica Baroque Academy. Official YouTube channel: Promusica Continuo Classics.
#Schubert #Lieder #Lied