LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

- Folksongs

1. The Sweetest Lad Was Jamie, Op. 108 No. 5
2. Again, my Lyre, Op. 108 No. 24
3. Waken Lords and Ladies Gay, WoO 155 No. 12
4. Oh! Who my Dear Dermot, WoO 154 No. 5
5. The Elfin Fairies, WoO 154 No. 1
6. Faithfu' Johnie, Op. 108 No. 20
7. The Deserter, WoO 152 No. 10
8. When Mortals All to Rest Retire, WoO 155 No. 15
9. Come Fill, Fill, my Good Fellow, Op. 108 No. 13
10. The Kiss, Dear Maid, WoO 153 No. 9
11. When Far from the Home, WoO 153 No. 11
12. Morning a Cruel Turmoiler Is, WoO152 No. 21
13. Sunset, Op. 108 No. 2
14. Oh! Sweet Were the Hours, Op. 108 No. 3
15. Cupid's Kindness, WoO 155 No. 21
16. On the Massacre of Glencoe, WoO 152 No. 5
17. The Return to Ulster, WoO 152 No. 1
18. The Pulse of an Irishman, WoO 154 No. 4
19. The Parting Kiss, WoO 155 No. 25
20. Good Night, WoO 155 No. 26

WOLFGANG HOLZMAIR, baritone
TRIO FONTENAY

CD 442 784-2 DDD
PHILIPS

Almost all of Beethoven's folk-song settings were composed for the Scottish music publisher George Thomson, between 1809 en 1820. Beethoven's settings thoroughly transcend the original melodies, elevating them to a new level of while still allowing them to eloquently as simple, traditional folk songs.

- Beethoven transcribed a series of folksongs from the British Isles. A selection of these songs are here performed by Wolfgang Holzmair and the Trio Fontenay.

"The Austrian baritone is alive to the text on every note but never overstates his intentions or parades his accomplishments..." (Opera News on Schubert's Winterreise)

"The stylishness of Holzmair...is ideal in this context, perfectly balanced and consistently lyrical.....irresistible." (Classic CD on Mélodies françaises)