Schubert Revisited: Lieder Arranged for Baritone and Orchestra

Matthias Goerne, one of the most high-profile Schubertians of his generation, has recorded a selection of Schubert's songs not in their original versions with piano but in orchestral arrangements by Alexander Schmalcz, Goerne's accompanist of many years' standing. Goerne says about Alexander Schmalcz's arrangements: 'His creativity in adapting these songs for the orchestra is enormous, while his stylistic sensibilities and his subtle approach in deploying the right instruments at the right moment are truly astonishing... Schubert's ability to empathize makes him one of the most important composers in the whole of human history. He created a perfect balance between intellectuality and the greatest naturalness. With Schubert, even the most complicated melodies and forms sound entirely natural'. And yet what we hear on this album is 'pure Schubert', Alexander Schmalcz insists. 'I have added nothing. Sometimes I fill out the voices by doubling the octave, for example. Or I write sustained chords in the orchestra in order to simulate the sound-surfaces that are the result of the use of the sustaining pedal on the piano. But my goal is to be as original as possible'.

1. An Sylvia, D. 891
2. Schäfers Klagelied, D. 121
3. Ganymed, D. 544
4. Fahrt zum Hades, D. 526
5. Schatzgräbers Begehr, D. 761
6. Der Tod und das Mädchen, D. 531
7. Erlkönig, D. 328
8. Wandrers Nachtlied, D. 224
9. Grenzen der Menschheit, D. 716
10. Wer sich der Einsamkeit ergibt [3 Gesänge des Harfners, D. 47]
11. Wer nie sein Brot mit Tränen aß [3 Gesänge des Harfners, D. 47]
12. An die Türen will ich schleichen [3 Gesänge des Harfners, D. 47]
13. Das Heimweh, D. 851
14. Pilgerweise, D. 789
15. Abendstern, D. 806
16. Alinde, D. 904
17. Stimme der Liebe, D. 412
18. Des Fischers Liebesglück, D. 933
19. An die Entfernte, D. 765