R. Schumann: Myrten, Op. 25

Schumann´s compositional plans in 1840 included not only piano works or, as is generally assumed, lieder, but also encompassed an opera project for which a libretto was nearly completed. Perhaps the most yearning moment in Schumann´s adult life was his wedding day, on which he was finally to be united with his beloved bride Clara Wieck after so much sadness and many painful conflicts – he wanted to celebrate by presenting this song cycle to his beloved as a gift. Songs as pearls, not only twelve as in the Eichendorff cycle or nine as are found in Heines’s “Liederkreis,” but 26 songs, like a long necklace. Following engagements on the opera stages of Wurzburg, Mannheim and Frankfurt, soprano Diana Damrau’s meteoric international career took off with performances in Berlin, Dresden, Vienna, and New York. A highly sought-after lied and concert singer, she makes regular appearances at the Kissinger Sommer, Schubertiade Schwarzenberg, as well as the Munich and Salzburg Festivals. Argentinean baritone Ivan Paley studied in Buenos Aires and the Opera Department of Miami University and then began his career as a concert and opera singer. Since moving to Vienna he has focused on German lied and collaborates with several renowned pianists. Since completing his piano studies, Stephan Matthias Lademann has focused on piano accompaniment and gained extensive experience accompanying master singers such as Birgit Nilsson, Sylvia Geszty, Julia Hamari, and of course the two vocalists on this release.