Description
The 'Poet-Musician' Peter Cornelius was an artist able to create distinguished works in both word and sound. Drawn from various categories of Cornelius's songs, this programme contains the first modern, complete recording of his rarely performed but melodically attractive duets. These focus on the subject of love, as well as themes of parting and death in the Op. 16 collection. His response to the poems of Emil Kuh resulted in warm-hearted, twinkling humour, while Der Tod des Verräters is a flawless parody of Italian Romantic Opera. Volumes 1 and 2 of this complete edition can be found on Naxos 8.572556 and 8.572557.The third volume is a key release in this première series of Cornelius's complete lieder, concluding our survey of the 'secular' solo songs as well as containing the first complete recording of his almost entirely unknown duets. The variety in our very strong team of singers is reflected in the contrasts within this programme, from traditional genre songs, the dramas inherent in some of the duets, and Cornelius's always surprising twists of harmony and humor, all of which enhance the vivacious feel of this unique series.