Johannes Brahms: 15 Selected Songs [HL:1142]

Includes historical notes, translations and International Phonetic Alphabet

With diction lessons recorded by Irene Spiegelman, German diction coach at the Metropolitan Opera, and piano accompaniments recorded by Laura Ward, this collection of the most often taught Brahms songs is an excellent introduction to lieder. The diction for each song is recorded twice: first recited as an actor would speak it, showing flow of the language and mood, followed by a slow, deliberate lesson, allowing time for the student to repeat each line. This experienced language coach adapts the “R” in German in the slow versions as recommended for classical singers. She is also very sensitive to liaisons between word sounds in the musical settings.

Contents: Botschaft • Dein blaues Auge • Die Mainacht • Feldeinsamkeit • Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer • Meine Liebe ist grün • Mondnacht • O liebliche Wangen • O wüsst ich doch den Weg zurück • Sapphische Ode • Sonntag • Ständchen (Kugler) • Vergebliches Ständchen • Von ewiger Liebe • Wie Melodien zieht es mir.