Brahms's devotion to Germany's folk and medieval poetry in his songs reflects the national pride that underpinned much cultural production of his time.
Historical Context
Brahms's song collections reflect the complexities of writing Lieder in the late 19th century, a period of instability in Europe leading up to the First World War.
Composer Biography
Brahms's Op. 57 songs are unusual because they collect settings of just one poet, Georg Friedrich Daumer, whose poetry Brahms set more often than any other.
Composition History
Song-writing was both lucrative and pleasurable for Brahms, as his astute publisher, Fritz Simrock, knew that many middle-class homes had pianos and someone to sing at them.
Compositional Technique
Brahms sometimes referenced his instrumental music in his songs; for example, the melody of 'Immer leiser' (Op. 105) quotes material from his Second Piano Concerto.
Performer Biography
Hanno Müller-Brachmann, a bass-baritone on this album, was brought to the Staatsoper Unter den Linden by Daniel Barenboim while still a student, where he was an ensemble member for thirteen years.
Performer Biography
Dame Sarah Connolly, a mezzo-soprano on this album, was made a DBE in 2017 and received The King's Medal for Music in 2023 for her outstanding contributions to music.
