Alban Berg - Seven Early Songs, Altenberg Songs, Youthful Songs (1995)

Who's afraid of Alban Berg? The fact that it's Jessye Norman who performs these songs is not the only reason why I think this is a great record. I think this record gives you a great view on the evolution of Alban Berg as a composer. The three different sets of songs belong to a different period in his life: the early songs are still truely romantic, the "Seven early songs" show a composer searching for new ways of expression and the Altenberg-lieder show him using a totally new and different soundscape. I think Jessye Norman is the perfect singer for these songs, the early 20th century repertoire suits her perfectly (she has made beautiful recordings of works of Arnold Shönberg as well).

Tracklist

1. Nacht
2. Schilflied
3. Die Nachtigall
4. Traumgekront
5. Im Zimmer
6. Liebesode
7. Sommertage
8. Seele, Wie Bist du Schoner
9. Sahst du Nach Dem Gewitterregen Den Wald
10. Uber Die Grenzen des All
11. Nichts Ist Gekommen
12. Hier Ist Friede
13. Wo Der Goldregen Steht
14. Lied des Schiffermadels
15. Sehnsucht II
16. Geliebte Schone
17. Vielgeliebte Schone Frau
18. Ferne Lieder
19. Schattenleben
20. Voruber!
21. Liebe
22. Mignon
23. Grabschrift
24. Schliebe Mir Die Augen Beide [1907]
25. Schliebe Mir Die Augen Beide [1925]
26. Er Klagt, Dab Der Fruhling So Kortz Bluht

Jessye Norman
Ann Schein, Piano
London Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez

Sony Classics SK 66826