CLARA SCHUMANN : Complete Songs (Dorothea Craxton · Hedayet Djeddikar) (2007) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Clara Schumann the composer often worked in her husband’s shadow, many of her songs being mistaken for his, although those best loved by the public flowed from her pen. Some were composed and performed before their marriage, others set texts which he had suggested. “There is really nothing better than composing for oneself”, Clara notes in her diary in 1853, yet after Robert’s death three years later she composed no more, making these, the fruits of mutual love, all the more precious. naxos
 
 The available selection of Clara Schumann's songs has been increasing, which is all to the good; they reveal a composer whose thinking was closely connected with that of her husband, who had the talent to keep up with what he was doing, and whose musical language in the realm of the art song kept developing even as Robert turned away from the genre. This Naxos release takes an unusual approach: it is, essentially, a historically authentic performance of the songs. Swiss-German pianist Hedayet Djeddikar uses an 1828 Stein piano owned by Clara Schumann herself, and the accompaniments take on the subtle colors made possible by fortepiano performance. Djeddikar has an especially nice way with Schumann's treatment of the upper register in the accompaniment, which adds a fantastic, melancholy, or playful note depending on the circumstances. Soprano Dorothea Craxton tries for an intimate vocal approach to match the piano and the charming sonic ambiance of the Schumannhaus in Zwickau. This is a good idea in principle, but Craxton's sound has little support in her upper register. She sounds fine in small doses, especially in limpid pieces like "Die gute Nacht" from the Four Songs by Friedrich Rückert, Op. 12. But over the course of the entire program of 29 songs the shaky intonation at crucial moments may result in aural fatigue. This release is a classic example of an original approach awaiting other performers to come along with improved execution. Texts and translations (into English only) are available only online. James Manheim   
CLARA SCHUMANN (1819-1896)
Tracklist :
1-4.    Four Songs by Friedrich Rückert, Op. 12 [9:15]
5-10.  Six Lieder, Op. 13 [13:46]
11-16.  Six Lieder from Jucunde, Op. 23 [13:41] 
17.    Der Abendstern [2:15]
18.    Am Strande [2:36]
19.    Ihr Bildnis (first version of Op. 13 No. 1) [2:46]
20.    Volkslied [3:01]
21.    Sie liebten sich beide (first version of Op. 13 No. 2) [2:20]
22.    Loreley [2:23]
23.    O weh des Scheidens [2:38]
24.    Mein Stern [1:43]
25.    Beim Abschied [4:24]
26.    Das Veilchen [2:01]
27.    Der Wanderer [1:43]
28.    Der Wanderer in der Sägemühle [2:14]
29.    Walzer [3:33]
Credits :
Dorothea Craxton - Ssoprano
Hedayet Djeddikar - Piano