Gabriel Dobner, the pianist on this album, was referred to as 'A Master among Lieder Pianists' by West German Radio after his second recording with mezzo-soprano Cornelia Kallisch.
Composer Biography
Richard Strauss, a composer featured on this album, successfully worked in various genres, from chamber music to grand symphonies, unlike Richard Wagner who focused almost exclusively on music dramas.
Composition History
Richard Wagner set Mathilde Wesendonck's five poems to music in November 1857, temporarily pausing his work on Tristan, which was unusual for him as he rarely set texts by others.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Some critics believe that Richard Strauss's lieder, or art songs, offer a more intimate portrayal of the man than his symphonic poems and operas.
Performer Biography
Gerhard Siegel, the tenor on this album, began his musical career as an instrumentalist and composer before becoming a singer.
Composer Biography
The six months surrounding the creation of Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder were described by Wagner himself as 'a veritable Hell,' due to marital strife and Mathilde Wesendonck's husband sending her to Italy.
Composition History
Richard Strauss's Eight Songs, Op. 10, were composed when he was 21, around the time he was being considered to succeed Hans von Bülow as conductor of the Meiningen Court Orchestra.
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