Cornelius's literary output includes over 700 poems, three librettos, and numerous essays and translations, alongside his musical compositions.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Peter Cornelius, the composer, saw himself as a "Poet-Musician," aiming to create equally valid works in both word and sound.
Performer Biography
Markus Schäfer, the tenor on this recording, is known for his performances of Mozart's great tenor roles and as the Evangelist in Bach's Passions, and his St Matthew Passion recording under Harnoncourt received a GRAMMY award.
Historical Context
Cornelius's opera, The Barber of Baghdad, caused a theatrical scandal at its 1858 premiere in Weimar, leading to Franz Liszt's withdrawal from the city.
Compositional Technique
Many of Cornelius's duets were written for domestic music-making, tailored for middle-class households with a piano and two proficient, but not professionally trained, singers.
Composer Biography
Despite being influenced by figures like Liszt and Wagner, Peter Cornelius concentrated almost entirely on vocal music, often setting his own texts.
Composition History
More than half of Cornelius's songs were composed during his time in Weimar as a collaborator of Franz Liszt, a prominent composer and conductor.
