Hans Hotter (1909–2003) was 64 when he recorded two recital LPs for Decca, here coupled as a 2CD set. One of the rare singers to achieve equal eminence in Wagner and in Lieder, the singer’s voluminous bass-baritone, at once majestic and profoundly human, was in its autumn. Yet, the sense of detail, of characterisation, he brings to these songs, vividly partnered by Geoffrey Parsons, is not only a joy but an essential lesson for every student of Lied. There is evidence of both warmth and candour as well as a wry sense of humour in the Wolf and Loewe brackets and he is an absolute natural for Brahms, a composer to whom even in his younger years he was irresistibly drawn. As a revered teacher, Hotter would tell his students: ‘Remember, it is important to try not to be boring’. Throughout these 38 songs, Hotter is, as ever, true to his own precept.
CD1
CARL LOEWE
Odins Meeresritt, Op. 118
Die wandelnde Glocke, Op. 20 No. 3
Hochzeitslied, Op. 20 No. 1
Hinkende Jamben, Op. 62 Heft I No. 5
JOHANNES BRAHMS
Auf dem Kirchhofe, Op. 105 No. 4
Ruhe, Süβliebchen, Op. 33 No. 9
Mit vierzig Jahren, Op. 94 No. 1
FRANZ SCHUBERT
Gruppe aus dem Tartarus, D.583
Im Frühling, D.882
Alinde, D.904
An die Entfernte, D.765
Schwanengesang, D. 957:
Liebesbotschaft
Die Stadt
Der Doppelgänger
Die Taubenpost
CD 2
HUGO WOLF
Lieder nach Gedichten von Eduard Mörike:
Der Tambour
Nimmersatte Lieber
Jägerlied
Italienisches Liederbuch:
Der Mond hat eine schwere Klag
Heb’ auf dein blondes Haupt
Schon streckt’ ich aus
Ein Ständchen Euch zu bringen
Denk’ es, O Seele! (Mörike-Lieder)
Drei Lieder nach Gedichten von Michelangelo
Wenn du zu den Blumen gehst (Spanisches Liederbuch: II)
Der Musikant
Wer sein holdes Lieb verloren (Spanisches Liederbuch: II)
Der Soldat I
Anakreons Grab
Der verzweifelte Liebhaber
RICHARD STRAUSS
All mein Gedanken, Op. 21 No. 1
Nachtgang, Op. 29 No. 3
Du meines Herzens Krönelein, Op. 21 No. 2
Gefunden, Op. 56 No. 1
Himmelsboten, Op. 32 No. 5
Ach, weh mir unglückhaftem Mann, Op. 21 No. 4
Hans Hotter, bass-baritone
Geoffrey Parsons, piano
Recording Producer: Christopher Raeburn
Balance Engineers: Gordon Parry, Philip Wade
Recording Location: Sofiensaal, Vienna, Austria, 1–5 May 1973
Remastering Engineer: Chris Bernauer
”All’ mein Gedanken’ [is] given new impact and import by sheer force of vocal gravity; in particular the rarely-recorded ‘Gefunden’ is a splendid find. Best of all are the Brahms songs. Here is the repertory in which Hotter’s weight of experience can sound out the depths of feeling to their fullest extent. … the recording quality is a predictable credit to Decca expertise; and Geoffrey Parsons has the whole range of dynamic and technique well within his grasp. On this showing, it is he who has the art of the Lied at his fingertips. He makes the music sound, as it surely should, like poetry-reading rather than dramatisation. In the result, it is not only the followers of Hans Hotter who will derive delight and diversion from this disc. So will admirers of the art of Lieder accompaniment; and they will receive much insight and instruction into the bargain.’
Gramophone, March 1976
‘Though recorded later in his career, when this great artist was 64, he is on magnificent form, and brings a lifetime’s insights to some of the greatest songs in the Lied repertoire. Indispensable.’
BBC Music Magazine (February 2015)