Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Lieder
Clara Osowski (mezzo-soprano)
Timothy Lovelace (piano)
rec 2025, Minneapolis, USA
German texts and English translations included
Reviewed as a download
Avie AV2864 [61]
The American mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski’s career has mostly taken place in the USA, though she did well in a couple of European competitions, and gave a recital in the Wigmore Hall in 2021, accompanied by Julius Drake. She has participated – or been the main artist on – a number of recordings, by a large variety of composers, from Hildegard of Bingen, through the Baroque era, up to the present day, and even some jazz.
This is an interesting compilation of nineteen songs by Schubert, some well-known, others less so. There is no declared central theme – which could anyway, in many cases, be considered rather artificial and unnecessary – beyond the (somewhat superfluous) assertion, in the booklet, that nature imagery abounds!
Osowski and the accompanist Timothy Lovelace launch the recital with the famous, stirring Rastlose Liebe. It immediately shows the strengths and, to a certain extent, the weaknesses, of this recording. Osowski’s articulation is clear, and the voice agreeable and incisive, while the piano playing is lively. But I am left wanting a bit more in terms of dramatic impact, particularly in the voice; it all seems, to me, a little understated. Mezzo-sopranos of previous generations, have managed to make it more gripping; one has only to listen to Norman, Baker or Fink, or particularly Brigitte Fassbaender, for confirmation.
The second song is the slightly less-known, atmospheric Nachtstück, which is performed with sensitivity; Osowski’s voice has a nice core, a reasonable legato, and a steady, regular timbre. Her rendering of this song can be compared to that by Sophie Rennert on her recent recording, (which was recently reviewed very favourably by myself and Ralph Moore). The comparison is not particularly useful, in that it is the only song which is common to the two compilations, but it nevertheless comes down, for me, in favour of Rennert and her accompanist, Joseph Middleton: they create more atmosphere, and Rennert’s interpretation is that bit more delicate, her voice simply more attractive, with a perfect, slightly fast vibrato.
This is perhaps the moment to mention that Osowski’s pronunciation of the German texts is excellent – idiomatic and expressive – for a non-native; it is only in Nachtstück that I noticed rather strange vowels (on “Schlummer” and “Kummer”); otherwise her pronunciation is, to my ear, impeccable.
The following two songs are sung with the same even, regular tone, and precise intonation, though I would have liked a little more drama and urgency in Der Schiffer. The same is true of the famous Ganymed, which sounds just a little comfortable for my taste.
In Wandrers Nachtlied the slightly wide, sometimes pulsing vibrato in Osowski’s voice, which is often present to a certain extent without being a particular problem, becomes more prominent. The song is not as magical as it could have been if she had been able to limit the vibrato, and the same applies at certain moments in some of the other songs, particularly in the slower ones requiring a steady legato, like Nachtviolen, An den Mond, and Gondelfahrer.
In general, Osowski’s phrasing is pleasingly elegant, as in the little-known Die Sterne, the charmingly tripping Seligkeit, or Im Frühling with it’s beautiful piano variations. But, for me, as I have suggested before, the recital lacks expressive breadth; this is particularly clear in the famous Der Musensohn, where the singer doesn’t follow what I hear as the pianist’s invitation to have fun with the rhythm in a more extravert way.
This CD contains a wide variety of songs by this most prolific of Lieder composers. A listener who is looking for a recent, general compilation of Schubert songs can listen to the extracts available under my review of Sophie Rennert’s recent recording, to decide whether he or she agrees with me that the latter performance is generally superior, in terms of voice, piano and interpretation, to this one. However, someone looking for an additional selection of the composer’s Lieder could get enjoyment out of this interesting and gracefully-performed compilation.
David James
Buying this recording via the link below generates revenue for MWI, which helps the site remain free
Contents
Rastlose Liebe D.138
Nachtstück D.672
An die Leier D.737
Der Schiffer D.536
Ganymed D.544
Am See D.746
Wandrers Nachtlied II D.768
Die Sterne D.939
Seligkeit D.433
Bei dir allein D.866/2
Nachtviolen D.752
Ellens Gesang I D.837
Ellens Gesang II D.838
An den Mond D.193
Erlafsee D.586
Der Musensohn D.764
Gondelfahrer D.808
Geheimes D.719
Im Frühling D.882
