Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe and Opus 39 Liederkreis

Both my parents came from poor homes, and both left school at 13 years old. Both of them were fervently musical and were determined that their five children would have the best possible education, so we found ourselves learning French, German, and Italian. Very fortunate for music lovers; this evening I reacquainted myself with Schumann's Dichterliebe. What wonderful music! But with no knowledge of the German language, and little knowledge of Heinrich Heine's 19th century Germany, I don't know whether this sublime music would have had the same effect on me. Anyway: A real masterpiece, and another great pillar of European music. I am no great fan of most of Robert Schumann's music; but his Lieder really are something else.

I enjoyed the Dichterleibe so much, that I went on to listen to the Opus 39 Liederkreis, with poems by Joseph von Eichendorff. Decades ago, I learned the words by heart, even copying out the texts into old school exercise books. Some things one does when young are of immense benefit later on. I greatly enjoyed renewing my acquaintance with Op 39. Singer in the Eichendorff poems was Werner Güra; in the Dichterliebe, Christian Gerhaher. In German Lieder, you really need German singers (just as, in French mélodies, you really need French singers).

Janine Jansen plays Sibelius and Prokofiev

With 42 recordings of the Sibelius violin concerto, and 25 of the first Prokofiev violin concerto on my shelves, one would have thought this was quite enough. I have grown up listening to Ginette Neveu and Heifetz in the Sibelius for over 70 years now. During the rare occasions I re-listen, I find I am concentrating more on the violin playing than on the too-familiar music. Of the two concertos, the Prokofiev has survived best for me; it is highly inventive and grips attention right to the end, even after some 70 years of listening.

If I did not have a satisfactory recording of either concerto, my current addition of Janine Jansen (with Klaus Mäkelä and the Oslo Philharmonic) would be my ideal. Jansen is a superb violinist, and even though classical music is international (except in Africa) there is something that feels right with North Europeans playing music that is 100% North European. A truly excellent CD that will probably see me ignore the 41 rival versions in future. Well done Ms Jansen.

Arthur Grumiaux and Clara Haskil play Mozart

There is no better duo partnership in Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert than Arthur Grumiaux and Clara Haskil. An off-air recording of the duo playing four Mozart sonatas for violin and piano has come my way; the performance took place in Strasbourg on 19th June 1956. This is true partnership playing, with both Grumiaux and Haskil on top form. What was also greatly appreciated by me is the recording quality and balance. 1956 mono it may be, but you can hear every note from the violin, even when playing pianissimo with the piano. Two top players playing Mozart in an exemplary recording; what more can one ask for? Thank you Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française for the recording.

Ernest Chausson and Guillaume Lekeu

I have always had a soft spot for the music of both Ernest Chausson (1855-99) and Guillaume Lekeu (1870-94). Dying the day after his 24th birthday, Lekeu was one of the major composers who never had a chance (like Pergolesi). I was therefore delighted when a good friend sent me recordings of Chausson's "Concert for violin, piano, and string quartet" coupled with Lekeu's evergreen sonata for violin and piano (an old, old favourite).

Participants are Gabriel Le Magadure (violin) with the always welcome Frank Braley as pianist, plus the Agate Quartet in the Chausson. What an admirable coupling! Both works -- particularly the Chausson Concert -- are audibly post-Wagnerian, and fin de siècle. Both receive thoroughly idiomatic performances from the French team and are well recorded (recording a violin, piano, and string quartet must have been quite a challenge, particularly since there is a fair amount of bass sound in the Chausson). This is an obvious coupling that should have been done before many times. (I have six other recordings of the Chausson, plus eight of the Lekeu, the best of which in the past was that by Alina Ibragimova and Cédric Tiberghien).

A most welcome addition to my bulging CD shelves.