Artist: Joseph Middleton, Sarah Connolly
Album: Mahler Songs
Genre: Classical
Release Date: 2023
Audio Format:: FLAC (tracks) 24 bit, 192 kHz
Duration: 01:01:16
Total Tracks: 14
Total Size: 2,31 GB

Tracklist:

1-01. Joseph Middleton – Rückert-Lieder (Version for Voice & Piano): II. Ich atmet’ einen linden Duft! (02:40)
1-02. Joseph Middleton – Rückert-Lieder (Version for Voice & Piano): I. Blicke mir nicht in die Lieder! (01:33)
1-03. Joseph Middleton – Rückert-Lieder (Version for Voice & Piano): IV. Um Mitternacht (06:24)
1-04. Joseph Middleton – Rückert-Lieder (Version for Voice & Piano): V. Liebst du um Schönheit (02:30)
1-05. Joseph Middleton – Rückert-Lieder (Version for Voice & Piano): III. Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen (07:07)
1-06. Joseph Middleton – Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Version for Voice & Piano): No. 1, Wenn mein Schatz Hochzeit macht (03:51)
1-07. Joseph Middleton – Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Version for Voice & Piano): No. 2, Ging heut morgen übers Feld (04:25)
1-08. Joseph Middleton – Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Version for Voice & Piano): No. 3, Ich hab’ ein glühend Messer (03:21)
1-09. Joseph Middleton – Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Version for Voice & Piano): No. 4, Die zwei blauen Augen von meinem Schatz (06:00)
1-10. Joseph Middleton – Kindertotenlieder (Version for Voice & Piano): No. 1, Nun will die Sonn’ so hell aufgeh’n (05:08)
1-11. Joseph Middleton – Kindertotenlieder (Version for Voice & Piano): No. 2, Nun seh’ ich wohl, warum so dunkle Flammen (04:50)
1-12. Joseph Middleton – Kindertotenlieder (Version for Voice & Piano): No. 3, Wenn dein Mütterlein (04:29)
1-13. Joseph Middleton – Kindertotenlieder (Version for Voice & Piano): No. 4, Oft denk’ ich, sie sind nur ausgegangen (02:46)
1-14. Joseph Middleton – Kindertotenlieder (Version for Voice & Piano): No. 5, In diesem Wetter (06:12)

Download:

Mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly and pianist Joseph Middleton have produced a CD with three of Mahler’s best known song cycles; the Rückert-Lieder, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen and the Kindertotenlieder. It’s a very fine recording. Both performers are, of course, expert recitalists and they take quite an individual way with these well known pieces. In general they are quite slow (less so in the Rückert songs than the other two sets) but very clearly articulated. The phrasing, by both singer and pianist, is very deliberate and sometimes quite individual. This is most pronounced in the Rückert songs. It’s an interesting approach which I enjoyed.

The recording is fine. It was made in St. George’s Bristol in April 2021 and it’s well balanced, clear and natural. It will be available as a physical CD and in digital formats ranging from MP3 to 192kHz/24bit FLAC. I listened to the hi-res version. The booklet has plenty of useful information and full texts and English translations.

So, an interesting and enjoyable, if rather individual, record from two serious Mahlerians. Definitely worth a listen.

The release date is July 28th 2023 and the catalogue number is Signum SIGCD741.