Schubert had a keen literary instinct, choosing poets like Wilhelm Müller (known as 'Müller the Greek' for his support of Greek independence) and Heinrich Heine before other composers recognized their significance.
Composition History
Schwanengesang, a collection of lieder by Franz Schubert, was not originally conceived as a coherent whole but was assembled and titled posthumously by his publisher.
Composer Biography
Franz Schubert was the first composer to set the poetry of Heinrich Heine to music, preceding Robert Schumann's more extensive engagement with Heine's work.
Compositional Technique
The inclusion of 'Die Taubenpost' (The Pigeon Post) at the end of Schwanengesang creates an unexpected cyclical unity, echoing the 'Liebesbotschaft' (Message of Love) at the beginning.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded by Teije van Geest from February 18 to 21, 2017, in Freudental, Germany.
Interpretation
The artists chose to record Schubert's Schwanengesang because it is considered more mysterious and unsettling than other Schubertian ensembles like Die schöne Müllerin.
Performer Biography
The performers, Stephan Genz and Michel Dalberto, have collaborated for twenty years, exploring works by Schubert, Hugo Wolf, Schumann, and Brahms.
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