Gerhaher Sings Schumann in Hohenems

Gerold Huber and Christian Gerhaher in Salzburg

Just in case you can't get enough of Christian Gerhaher (accompanied by Gerold Huber) singing Schumann (I can't), here is a broadcast of his Liederabend from the lovely Markus-Sittikus-Saal in Hoenems, Austria. This was recorded on September 22, 2013. It was transmitted this morning on Ö1 Radio, so it should be available for another seven days. The program is listed below.

Gratuitous Friday – Christian Gerhaher Sings Mahler

Christian Gerhaher has recorded Mahler's Songs of a Wayfarer at least twice commercially: once in the original piano version with long-time accompanist Gerold Huber, and once in the Schoenberg transcription with the Hyperion Ensemble. He also has performed the song cycle numerous times with piano or orchestra. Here is a live performance with the Mahler Youth Orchestra.

Now, Herr Gerhaher has an album due out (I guess it is out in some parts of the world) with Kent Nagano and more of Mahler's orchestral songs, including of course, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen. 

Even more exciting is his upcoming performance of the cycle this Sunday with the Berliner Philharmoniker at the Digital Concert Hall site. Herr Gerhaher will also participate in a performance of Janacek's Mass. It should be an exciting program.

Sunday Brunch – Christian Gerhaher Sings Mahler's Urlicht

Urlicht is the fourth movement of Gustav Mahler's Symphony no 2. It is a setting of a poem from Des Knaben Wunderhorn; the title means Primal Light or Primordial Light. 

It’s not often heard apart from the symphony, and almost never (this is my first time, anyway) sung by a baritone.

Christian Gerhaher gives us a reason to reconsider this practice.  It’s been said that Herr Gerhaher’s voice is unremarkable, but that his interpretations compare favorably with those of the great Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. I'm not sure I'd call it unremarkable—I find Gerhaher’s singing spellbinding.

Download 2013 Recitals from the Schwetzinger Festspiele – Die Konzerte zum Nachhören

Michael Nagy

Nearly all of the Schwetzinger Festspiele concerts are available at SWR2 for about a year. Recently, I noticed that in addition to streaming the 2013 concerts, you can download them as mp3s. 

This is especially handy for mobile listening; listening at work or other locations where streaming is restricted/verboten; and just for listening over and over. The really good news is now we can step away from our computers for a few minutes and still hear great live performances!