Description

IN MEMORIAM HANS HOTTER (1909-2003). A selection of Lieder from the Raucheisen project of the German Radio System (RRG). Recorded between 1942 and 1945; includes 19 previously unissued recordings. CD 1 (1:13:41) HAYDN: Abschiedslied, Das Leben ist ein Traum; BEETHOVEN: Des Kriegers Abschied, Abendlied unterm gestirnten Himmel; WEBER: Klage; SCHUBERT: Sei mir gegrüßt, Wanderers Nachtlied I (Der du von dem Himmel bist), Wanderers Nachtlied II (Über allen Gipfeln), Freiwilliges Versinken, Litanei auf das Fest aller Seelen, Der Unglückliche, Ritter Toggenburg, Blondel zu Marien, Die Bürgschaft. CD 2 (58:4) SCHUBERT: Romanze des Richard Löwenherz, Lebenslied; NICOLAI: Stürm, stürm, du Winterwind, Ein entmutigter Liebhaber, Wär' ich ein munt'res Vögelein, Der Liebestrunkene; Schumann: Die rote Hanne; LISZT: Wanderers Nachtlied I (Über allen Gipfeln); LOEWE: Graf Eberstein, Urgroßvaters Gesellschaft; BRAHMS: Dämmrung senkte sich von oben, Todessehnen, Treue Liebe dauert lange; WOLF: Wie sollt' ich heiter bleiben, Wenn ich dein gedenke, Anakreons Grab; PFITZNER: Sehnsucht nach Vergessen Complete song texts and translations included. Liner notes by Alan Blyth; technical reconstruction by Maggi Payne. A coproduction with Deutsches Rundfunkarchiv. AAD UPC# 0-17685-10632-3

Hotter was one of the foremost Lieder interpreters of the 20th century. During the Second World War, the German pianist Michael Raucheisen coordinated a major Lieder recording project involving numerous performers for the German radio system; the recordings included in this collection come from that project.

Of Hotter's art, critic Alan Blyth wrote: "In all, his innate gift of making words tell brought the given music to life. In spite of his vast voice, he could fine his tone down to a velvet-like timbre in the most delicate, hushed mezza-voce…"

"As far as historical reissues are concerned, this Hotter collection deserves special attention…a fitting tribute to Hotter…"

-Althouse, American Record Guide