Schumann, Complete Secular Choral Music - CD

Spread over four CDs, this recording is devoted to a fascinating but largely unexplored facet of Robert Schumann's work: his secular choral music.

Written between 1840 and 1850 and scored for male, female and various mixed voices (with or without accompaniment), the music is based on a rich selection of texts by poets such as Rückert and Burns. While some of the early songs are humorous, many of the later ones – notably the Drei Männerchöre – are politically oriented, reflecting the revolutionary spirit of their time. These works also provide a lesson in different types of choral texture, many of which Schumann was able to test with the two amateur groups he conducted. From the colourful use of solo voices in Drei Gedichte Op. 29 to the unusual interweaving of two choirs in Vier doppelchörige Gesänge Op. 141, the compilation reveals a composer determined to push boundaries.

Other information:

- In Schumann’s troubled life, the composer began writing choral music relatively late. Inspired by nature and poetry, his secular choral works reveal a fascinating side of the composer: full of humor, wit, irony, innocence and beauty, they are essential to the multifaceted Schumann.

- Superb performances by the Studio Vocale Karlsruhe conducted by Werner Pfaff, rightly awarded a prestigious “Diapason d'or” in France.

- Complete booklet written by a specialist in this repertoire, sung texts available on www.brilliantclassics.com.

Total duration: 67'15"

Release date: 2012

Composer: Robert Schumann

Chorals: Studio Vocale Karlsruhe conducted by Werner Pfaff, Renner Ensemble conducted by Bernd Engelbrecht.

Label: Brilliant Classics

EAN: 5028421943831