Episode 351. Schubert in Not-German
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SUBSCRIPTION PLATFORM
I have been fascinated for years by operas performed in the vernacular, a phenomenon which was common in Germany until quite recently. Even more interesting in many ways is the performance of art song in the language of the audience. Some time ago I produced an episode featuring the Lieder of Franz Schubert performed in both French and Russian translation. As a supplement to that episode, I present here two of the featured artists from that episode, the French baryton martin Camille Maurane (1911 – 2010) and the Russian lyric tenor Ivan Kozlovsky (1900 – 1993), quintessential representatives of their respective vocal categories, both of whom happened to live well into their nineties. They are featured singing the songs of Schubert in their native languages in recordings made between 1946 and 1962. Certain songs are sung by both artists, allowing one to make direct comparisons between their very different vocal styles. In addition I feature excerpts from Schubert’s two supreme masterpieces, Die schöne Müllerin and Winterreise, the latter excerpts sung in Russian, Finnish, Swedish, and English, with an shocking penultimate musicaal surprise. The episode begins with brief memorial tributes to three significant musicians who have died recently: composer William Finn, basso buffo Peter Strummer, and Heldentenor Peter Seiffert.
RECORDINGS HEARD IN THIS EPISODE
Richard Wagner: Morgenlich leuchtend (Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg). Peter Seiffert, Robert Holl, Daniel Barenboim, Orchester und Chor der Bayreuther Festspiele [live 1999]
Gioachino Rossini, Jacopo Ferretti [after Charles-Guillaume Étienne, Charles Perrault]: Sia qualunque delle figlie (La Cenerentola). Peter Strummer, Robert Dean, Calgary Opera Orchestra [live Calgary Opera XI.06]
William Finn: Four Jews in a Room Bitching (March of the Falsettos). Michael Rupert, Stephen Bogardus, Chip Zien, James Kushner, Michael Starobin (music director) [1981]
All other selections are composed by Franz Schubert, with poets (and translators, where known) as listed.
Friedrich Leopold zu Stolberg-Stolberg [French translation by Antoine Bélanger]: Auf dem Wasser zu singen [Barcarolle], D.774. Camille Maurane, Lily Bienvenu [1952]
Friedrich Leopold zu Stolberg-Stolberg [unknown Russian translator]: Auf dem Wasser zu singen, D.774 [sung in Russian]. Ivan Kozlovsky, Piotr Nikitin [1959]
Johann Gaudenz von Salis-Seewis [unknown Russian translator]: Der Jüngling an der Quelle, D. 300 [sung in Russian]. Ivan Kozlovsky, Naum Walter [1947]
Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart [French version by Antoine Bélanger]: Die Forelle [La Truite], D.550. Camille Maurane, Pierre Maillard-Verger [1962]
Heinrich Heine [unknown Russian translator]: Ihr Bild [sung in Russian], D.957/9. Ivan Kozlovsky, Piotr Nikitin [1958]
Ludwig Rellstab [French translation by Maurice Chassang]: Liebesbotschaft [Message d’amour], D.957/1. Camille Maurane, Lily Bienvenu [1952]
Ludwig Rellstab [French version by Antoine Bélanger]: Ständchen [Sérénade], D.957/4. Camille Maurane, Pierre Maillard-Verger [1962]
Heinrich Heine [French translation by Gustave Samazeuilh]: Der Doppelgänger [Le Sosie], D.957/13. Camille Maurane, Lily Bienvenu [1952]
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe [French translation by Gustave Samazeuilh]: Heidenröslein [Rose des Bruyères], D.257. Camille Maurane, Lily Bienvenu [1952]
Matthäus von Collin [French translation by Gustave Samazeuilh]: Nacht und Träume [Nuit et rêves], D.827. Camille Maurane, Lily Bienvenu [1952]
Wilhelm Müller [unknown Russian translator]: Das Wandern (Die schöne Müllerin, D.795/1). Ivan Kozlovsky, Naum Walter [1946]
Wilhelm Müller [unknown Russian translator]: Wohin? (Die schöne Müllerin, D.795/2). Ivan Kozlovsky, Naum Walter [1946]
Wilhelm Müller [French version by Antoine Bélanger]: Wohin? [Au bord de la fontaine], (Die schöne Müllerin), D.795/2. Camille Maurane, Pierre Maillard-Verger [1962]
Wilhelm Müller [unknown Russian translator]: Der Neugierige (Die schöne Müllerin, D.795/6). Ivan Kozlovsky, Naum Walter [1946]
Wilhelm Müller [French translation by Gustave Samazeuilh]: Mein! [Elle est à moi], (Die schöne Müllerin, D.795/11). Camille Maurane, Lily Bienvenu [1952]
Wilhelm Müller [French translation by Gustave Samazeuilh]: Die liebe Farbe [La couleur aimée] (Die schöne Müllerin [La belle meunière], D.795/16. Camille Maurane, Lily Bienvenu [1952]
Wilhelm Müller [unknown Russian translator]: Die liebe Farbe (Die schöne Müllerin, D.795/16). Ivan Kozlovsky, Naum Walter [1946]
Wilhelm Müller [unknown Russian translator]: Der Müller und der Bach (Die schöne Müllerin, D.795/19). Ivan Kozlovsky, Naum Walter [1946]
Wilhelm Müller [French translation by Gustave Samazeuilh]: Des Baches Wiegenlied [Berceuse du ruisseau] (Die schöne Müllerin, D.795/20). Germaine Martinelli, Jean Doyen [1935]
Wilhelm Müller: Gute Nacht (Winterreise, D. 911/1) [sung in Russian]. Boris Gmyrya, Lev Ostrin [1965]
Wilhelm Müller [unknown Finnish translator]: Frühlingstraum [Kevätunelma] (Winterreise, D.911/11) [sung in Finnish]. Aune Antti, Pentti Koskimies [1957]
Wilhelm Muller [Swedish translation by Bo Setterlind]: Die Nebensonnen [Vädersolarna] (Winterreise [Vinterresan], D.911/23). Håkan Hagegård, Thomas Schuback [1978]
Wilhelm Müller, arranged Cy Walter: Der Leiermann (Winterreise, D.911/24). Greta Keller, Cy Walter [1939]
Wilhelm Müller [unknown English translator]: Der Leiermann [The Hurdy-Gurdy Man] (Winterreise, D.911/24). Harry Plunket Greene [1934]
