Album

Like those of his predecessor Franz Josef Haydn, the British folk song settings of Ludwig van Beethoven are an underappreciated corner of his output. Commissioned by Scotsman George Thomson for publication as parlor music, they present a simple, rustic face that hides a deceptively clever and often technically demanding musical texture. Indeed, several settings had to be re-written, since Thomson determined they would not appeal to amateur musicians in their original forms. In most cases, Thomson sent Beethoven only the tunes to be set, and not their texts, so the resulting works can be viewed as purely musical conceptions; however, this does nothing to undermine their expressive qualities, since the very essence of folk song is melody. Beethoven's own interest in the project can be inferred not only from the quality of his musical submissions, but also from his willingness to collect tunes from continental Europe (Germany, Poland, Spain) at Thomson's request later in their collaboration. Setting these tunes was clearly not odious to the composer, even if the project was mercenary in nature. Deutsche Grammophon's complete edition of the Beethoven folk song settings was recorded in 1996-1997, and is exemplary in every way. One could not hope for a better collection of these songs. The list of performers reads like a "who's who" of British singing: Felicity Lott, Ann Murray, Thomas Allen, John Mark Ainsley, Sarah Walker, Christopher Maltman, and other less well-known performers all lend their voices to this collection, along with the spectacular Malcolm Martineau at the piano, violinists Marieke Blankenstijn, Elizabeth Layton, and Krysia Osostowicz, and cellist Ursula Smith. The music making is exquisite, the singing mostly terrific, and the overall impression of the songs themselves extremely positive. Only Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau's recordings from the 1970s can rival these for musical polish and sophistication, but those were all recorded in German translation and only account for a small portion of the whole output.

© Allen Schrott, All Music Guide

CD 1 of 7
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 25 Scottish Songs for Voices and Piano Trio, Op.108 Work Recorded 1996 1:15:58 Catrin Wyn Davies Soprano, Ruby Philogene Mezzo-Soprano, Toby Spence Tenor, Sarah Walker Mezzo-Soprano, Thomas Allen Baritone, Ursula Smith Cello, Christopher Maltman Baritone, Timothy Robinson Tenor, Elizabeth Layton Violin, Dame Felicity Lott Soprano, Krysia Osostowicz Violin, Janice Watson Soprano, Malcolm Martineau Piano, John Mark Ainsley Tenor
1	9.Behold, my love, how green the groves	2:16			$0.99
2	10.Sympathy	2:54			$0.99
3	11.Oh! thou art the lad of my heart, Willy	2:23			$0.99
4	12.Oh, had my fate been join'd with thine	4:46			$0.99
5	13.Come fill, fill, my good fellow!	2:12			$0.99
6	14.O, how can I be blithe and glad	1:24			$0.49
7	15.O cruel was my father	3:38			$0.99
8	16.Could this ill world have been contriv'd	2:40			$0.99
9	1.Music, Love and Wine	1:56			$0.49
10	2.Sunset	3:35			$0.99
11	3.O sweet were the hours	3:59			$0.99
12	4.The Maid of Isla	3:09			$0.99
13	5.The sweetest lad was Jamie	3:00			$0.99
14	6.Dim, dim is my eye	2:40			$0.99
15	7.Bonny Laddie, Highland Laddie	1:48			$0.49
16	8.The lovely lass of Inverness	2:54			$0.99
17	17.O Mary, at thy window be	2:29			$0.99
18	18.Enchantress, farewell	4:07			$0.99
19	19.O swiftly glides the bonny boat	3:11			$0.99
20	20.Faithfu' Johnie	4:18			$0.99
21	21.Jeanie's Distress	3:19			$0.99
22	22.The Highland Watch	3:15			$0.99
23	23.The Shepherd's Song	3:06			$0.99
24	24.Again, my Lyre, yet once again	3:28			$0.99
25	25.Sally in our Alley	3:31			$0.99
CD 2 of 7
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 25 Irish Songs for Voice and Piano Trio, WoO152 Work Recorded 1996 1:20:37 Thomas Allen Baritone, Ursula Smith Cello, Christopher Maltman Baritone, Elizabeth Layton Violin, Marieke Blankenstijn Violin, Dame Felicity Lott Soprano, Ann Murray Mezzo-Soprano, Malcolm Martineau Piano, John Mark Ainsley Tenor
1	1.The Return to Ulster	5:21			$0.99
2	7.His boat comes on the sunny tide	2:20			$0.99
3	4.The morning air plays on my face	2:54			$0.99
4	2.Sweet Power of Song!	3:52			$0.99
5	5.On the Massacre of Glencoe	4:47			$0.99
6	10.The Deserter	1:52			$0.49
7	12.English Bulls (The Irishman in London)	2:37			$0.99
8	6.What shall I do to shew how much I love her?	2:34			$0.99
9	21.Morning a cruel turmoiler is	2:25			$0.99
10	3.Once more I hail thee	4:30			$0.99
11	8.Come draw we round a cheerful ring	1:41			$0.49
12	9.Our bugles sung truce (The Soldier's Dream)	5:22			$0.99
13	18.They bid me slight my Dermot dear	3:22			$0.99
14	13.Musing on the roaring ocean	2:20			$0.99
15	14.Dermot and Shelah	2:34			$0.99
16	25.O harp of Erin	3:54			$0.99
17	22.From Garyone, my happy home	4:11			$0.99
18	11.Thou emblem of faith (Upon returning a ring)	4:22			$0.99
19	15.Let brain-spinning swains	2:07			$0.99
20	16.Hide not thy anguish	3:02			$0.99
21	19.Wife, Children and Friends	3:56			$0.99
22	17.In vain to this desert my fate I deplore	3:30			$0.99

CD 3 of 7
1	23.A wand'ring gypsey, Sirs, am I	2:21			$0.99
2	20.Farewell bliss and farewell Nancy	2:54			$0.99
3	24.The Traugh Welcome	1:49			$0.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 20 Irish Songs, WoO153 Work Recorded 1996 59:42 Ruby Philogene Mezzo-Soprano, Marieke Blankenstijn Violin, Toby Spence Tenor, Malcolm Martineau Piano, Dame Felicity Lott Soprano, Elizabeth Layton Violin, Christopher Maltman Baritone, Ursula Smith Cello
4	6.Sad and luckless was the season	4:00			$0.99
5	3.The British Light Dragoons	2:44			$0.99
6	1.When eve's last rays in twilight die	3:20			$0.99
7	4.Since greybeards inform us that youth will decay	1:47			$0.49
8	2.No riches from his scanty store	3:17			$0.99
9	5.I dream'd I lay where flow'rs were springing	2:40			$0.99
10	9.The kiss, dear maid, thy lip has left	3:01			$0.99
11	7.O soothe me, my lyre	2:42			$0.99
12	15. 'Tis but in vain, for nothing thrives	4:11			$0.99
13	11.When far from the home	2:38			$0.99
14	13. 'Tis sunshine at last	3:25			$0.99
15	8.Farewell mirth and hilarity: Norah of Balamagairy	3:12			$0.99
16	19.Judy, lovely matchless creature	2:13			$0.99
17	12.I'll praise the saints with early song	4:30			$0.99
18	18.No more, my Mary, I sigh for splendour	1:53			$0.49
19	20.Thy ship must sail, my Henry dear	2:47			$0.99
20	14.Paddy O'Rafferty	2:30			$0.99
21	16.O might I but my Patrick love!	4:14			$0.99
22	10.Oh! Thou hapless soldier	2:34			$0.99
23	17.Come, Darby dear! easy, be easy	2:04			$0.99
CD 4 of 7
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 12 Irish Songs, WoO154 Work Recorded 1997 35:07 Catrin Wyn Davies Soprano, Ruby Philogene Mezzo-Soprano, Toby Spence Tenor, Sarah Walker Mezzo-Soprano, Thomas Allen Baritone, Ursula Smith Cello, Elizabeth Layton Violin, Marieke Blankenstijn Violin, Dame Felicity Lott Soprano, Ann Murray Mezzo-Soprano, Krysia Osostowicz Violin, Janice Watson Soprano, Malcolm Martineau Piano, John Mark Ainsley Tenor
1	2.O harp of Erin	4:24			$0.99
2	12.He promised me at parting	2:00			$0.99
3	4.The pulse of an Irishman	2:37			$0.99
4	3.The Farewell Song	2:41			$0.99
5	8.Save me from the grave and wise	2:01			$0.99
6	9.O would I were but that sweet linnet!	3:40			$0.99
7	10.The hero may perish	2:28			$0.99
8	6.Put round the bright wine	2:22			$0.99
9	5.O, who, my dear Dermot	2:21			$0.99
10	7.From Garyone, my happy home	3:56			$0.99
11	11.The Soldier in a Foreign Land	4:07			$0.99
12	1.The Elfin Fairies	2:30			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 12 Songs of Various Nationality for Voices and Piano Trio, WoO157 Work Recorded 1997 39:24 Ruby Philogene Mezzo-Soprano, Thomas Allen Baritone, Ursula Smith Cello, Timothy Robinson Tenor, Elizabeth Layton Violin, Marieke Blankenstijn Violin, Dame Felicity Lott Soprano, Ann Murray Mezzo-Soprano, Krysia Osostowicz Violin, Janice Watson Soprano, Malcolm Martineau Piano, John Mark Ainsley Tenor
13	1.God save the King (English)	4:27			$0.99
14	2.The Soldier (Irish)	3:08			$0.99
15	3.Charlie is my darling (Scottish)	2:04			$0.99
16	4.O sanctissima (Sicilian)	1:37			$0.49
17	5.The Miller of Dee (English)	3:11			$0.99
18	6.A health to the brave (Irish)	2:42			$0.99
19	9.Highlander's Lament (Scottish)	3:52			$0.99
20	8.By the side of the Shannon (Irish)	2:21			$0.99
21	11.The Wandering Minstrel	3:33			$0.99
22	10.Sir Johnnie Cope (Scottish)	4:40			$0.99
23	7.Since all thy vows, false maid	4:43			$0.99
24	12.La gondoletta (Venetian)	3:06			$0.99
CD 5 of 7
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 26 Welsh Songs for Voices and Piano Trio WoO155 Work Recorded 1996 1:17:17 Ruby Philogene Mezzo-Soprano, Marieke Blankenstijn Violin, Malcolm Martineau Piano, Dame Felicity Lott Soprano, Catrin Wyn Davies Soprano, Christopher Maltman Baritone, John Mark Ainsley Tenor, Ursula Smith Cello
1	1.Sion, the Son of Evan	4:25			$0.99
2	4.Love without Hope	2:22			$0.99
3	17.The Dairy House	2:17			$0.99
4	15.When mortals all to rest retire	3:45			$0.99
5	3.The Cottage Maid	3:58			$0.99
6	14.The Dream	3:55			$0.99
7	7.O let the night my blushes hide	2:31			$0.99
8	19.The Vale of Clwyd	5:09			$0.99
9	11.Merch Megan; or, Peggy's Daughter	2:49			$0.99
10	2.The Monks of Bangor's March	2:46			$0.99
11	10.Ned Pugh's Farewell	2:47			$0.99
12	13.Helpless Woman	2:08			$0.99
13	20.To the Blackbird	4:00			$0.99
14	16.The Damsels of Cardigan	3:23			$0.99
15	9.To the Aeolian Harp	4:33			$0.99
16	12.Waken, lords and ladies gay	3:08			$0.99
17	22.Constancy	1:22			$0.49
18	5.The Golden Robe	2:33			$0.99
19	6.The Fair Maid of Mona	2:48			$0.99
20	8.Farewell, thou noisy town	1:12			$0.49
21	18.Sweet Richard	2:18			$0.99
22	21.Cupid's Kindness	1:51			$0.49
23	23.The Old Strain	3:31			$0.99
24	24.Three Hundred Pounds	3:19			$0.99
25	25.The Parting Kiss	2:57			$0.99
26	26.Good Night	1:30			$0.49
CD 6 of 7
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 12 Scottish Songs for Voices and Piano Trio, WoO156 Work Recorded 1996 29:39 Ruby Philogene Mezzo-Soprano, Marieke Blankenstijn Violin, Malcolm Martineau Piano, Dame Felicity Lott Soprano, Elizabeth Layton Violin, John Mark Ainsley Tenor, Thomas Allen Baritone, Ursula Smith Cello
1	4.Ye shepherds of this pleasant vale	2:48			$0.99
2	3.Up! quit thy bower	3:33			$0.99
3	7.Polly Stewart	1:31			$0.49
4	10.Glencoe	3:38			$0.99
5	2.Duncan Gray	2:41			$0.99
6	8.Womankind	1:15			$0.49
7	1.The Banner of Buccleuch	2:53			$0.99
8	6.Highland Harry	2:02			$0.99
9	12.The Quaker's Wife	1:58			$0.49
10	9.Lochnagar	4:01			$0.99
11	5.Cease your funning	1:09			$0.49
12	11.Auld Lang Syne	2:10			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 7 British Folk Songs, voice and piano trio, WoO158b Work Recorded 1996 17:50 Krysia Osostowicz Violin, Malcolm Martineau Piano, Timothy Robinson Tenor, Sarah Walker Mezzo-Soprano, Ursula Smith Cello
13	1.Adieu, my lov'd harp (Irish)	2:25			$0.99
14	7.Lament for Owen Roe O'Neill (Irish)	1:40			$0.49
15	5.Erin! O Erin! (Scottish)	3:24			$0.99
16	4.Red gleams the sun on yon hill tap (Scottish)	1:57			$0.49
17	2.Castle O'Neill (Irish)	1:26			$0.49
18	6.O Mary, ye's be clad in silk (Scottish)	2:41			$0.99
19	3.O was not I a weary weight! (Scottish)	4:17			$0.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 6 Songs of Various Nationality for Voice and Piano Trio, WoO158c Work Recorded 1997 14:30 Krysia Osostowicz Violin, Toby Spence Tenor, Malcolm Martineau Piano, Catrin Wyn Davies Soprano, Elizabeth Layton Violin, John Mark Ainsley Tenor, Sarah Walker Mezzo-Soprano, Ursula Smith Cello
20	3.Mark yonder pomp of costly fashion (Scottish)	3:29			$0.99
21	1.When my Hero in court appears (English, from 'The Beggar's Opera')	2:53			$0.99
22	4.Bonnie wee thing (Scottish)	2:03			$0.99
23	5.From thee, Eliza, I must go (Scottish)	2:44			$0.99
24	6.[Text unidentified] (Scottish)	1:43			$0.49
25	2.Non, non, Colette n'est point trompeuse (French, from 'Le devin du village')	1:38			$0.49
CD 7 of 7
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 23 Songs of Various Nationalities for Voices and Piano Trio, WoO158a Work Recorded 1996 48:12 Ruby Philogene Mezzo-Soprano, Thomas Allen Baritone, Toby Spence Tenor, Ursula Smith Cello, Christopher Maltman Baritone, Timothy Robinson Tenor, Krysia Osostowicz Violin, Janice Watson Soprano, Malcolm Martineau Piano
1	6.A Madel, ja a Madel (Tirolean)	2:39			$0.99
2	21.Tiranilla Española (Spanish)	3:52			$0.99
3	7.Wer solche Buema afipackt (Tirolean)	0:55			$0.49
4	2.Horch auf, mein Liebchen (German)	1:55			$0.49
5	10.Poszla baba po popiól (Polish)	0:54			$0.49
6	16.Schöne Minka, ich muss scheiden (Ukrainian)	2:58			$0.99
7	18.An ä Bergli bin i gesässe (Swiss)	1:55			$0.49
8	15.Kak posli nasi podruzki (Russian)	1:12			$0.49
9	5.Teppichkrämer-Lied (Tirolean)	3:56			$0.99
10	14.Akh, recen'ki, recen'ki (Russian)	2:08			$0.99
11	3.Wegen meiner bleib d'Fräula (German)	2:16			$0.99
12	13.Vo lesocke komarockov mnogo urodilos' (Russian)	1:35			$0.49
13	23.Da brava, Catina (Venetian)	1:28			$0.49
14	1.Ridder Stigs Runer (Danish)	1:25			$0.49
15	11.Yo no quiero embarcarme (Spanish)	1:31			$0.49
16	17.LLilla Carl, sov sött i frid (Swedish)	2:07			$0.99
17	20.Como la mariposa soy (Spanish)	1:32			$0.49
18	9.Oj, oj upilem sie w karczmie (Polish)	1:23			$0.49
19	19.Una paloma blanca (Spanish)	2:31			$0.99
20	22. Édes kinos emlékezet (Hungarian)	0:58			$0.49
21	4.Wann i in der Früh aufsteh (Tirolean)	3:08			$0.99
22	12.Seus lindos olhos (Portuguese)	2:16			$0.99
23	8.Ih mag di nit nehma (Tirolean)	3:38			$0.99