Forgotten Spring: The Early Lieder of Fanny Hensel
Acis, 2024
9/10
Listen to Forgotten Spring: The Early Lieder of Fanny Hensel
Harry Baechtel brings his baritone to Chuck Dillard’s piano for these 21 diverse, harmonic and melodic selections.
“Im Herbste (H-U 54, 1822) G major” gets the listen off to a warm start, where Baechtel’s expressive pipes are met with Dillard’s intimate keys to soundtrack Johann Ludwig Uhland’ poem, and it isn’t long until “Schlaflied (H-U 58, 1822) C major” presents swirling keys amid the soaring voice of Ludwig Tieck’ words.
Further along, the poet Johann Ludwig Uhland’s “Der Blumenstrauss (H-U 49, 1822) C major” unfolds with 2 minutes of flowing song craft, while “Die Einsamwandelnde (H-U 143, 1825) Eb-major” comes with both intimacy and adventurousness that allows for Baechtel’s gripping voice to impress us via Johann Peter Eckermann’s words.
Landing close to the end, “Klage (H-U 112, 1824) G minor” is a heartfelt album highlight of meticulous keys and stirring vocals, and “Sehnsucht (H-U 190, 1826) A minor” exits with rumbling piano and animated storytelling thanks to the poet Johann Heinrich Voß.
A superb display of Hensel’s under appreciated work, Baechtel and Dillard’s performances are delicate, articulate and complement each other with fluidity and wonder.
Travels well with: Trinity Church Boston/Colin Lynch- The Great Glad Tidings Tell: Carols From Copley Square; Ian Pomerantz/Byron Schenkman- Art Songs Of The Jewish Diaspora