The Nine Songs, Op. 69, and Eight Lieder and Songs, Op. 58, are linked by an unusual curation of content, juxtaposing outwardly clichéd subject matter with intimate, psychologically individualized confessional verse.
Compositional Technique
In the duet 'Vor der Tür', Brahms masterfully uses polyphony to create an 'angry confusion of voices' where the singers interrupt and argue simultaneously, yet the music remains ordered.
Composer Biography
Johannes Brahms, the composer, was not only preoccupied with writing songs for solo voice but also loved songs for more than one voice, as evidenced by his numerous vocal duets and choral works.
Compositional Technique
In the Four Duets, Op. 28, Brahms uses archaic musical elements like extended bass ostinatos, almost constant vocal rhythms, and melodies reminiscent of Gregorian chant to evoke a medieval atmosphere.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Brahms, the composer, consistently looked to tradition, origins, and wellsprings for guidance and inspiration in his music, especially regarding communal singing as the most ancient form of human music-making.
Recording & Production
This album is part of a larger project to record the complete songs of Johannes Brahms, with this being 'Complete Songs · 6'.
Performer Biography
Ulrich Eisenlohr, the pianist on this album, is a Lieder specialist whose major projects include the conception, artistic direction, and recording of Schubert's complete songs.
