Mark Padmore & Kristian Bezuidenhout - Beethoven: An die ferne Geliebte (Bonus Track Version) (2015)

Following up on their acclaimed recording of Schumann's Dichterliebe and Liederkreis, tenor Mark Padmore and fortepianist Kristian Bezuidenhout join forces once again for a varied and appealing lieder recital of songs by Beethoven, Haydn, and Mozart. Works featured here include Beethoven's An die ferne Geliebte, Mozart's Masonic Cantata and selections from Haydn's English Songs.

Best Classical Music Recordings of 2015
-- The New York Times

Dont assume that the British tenor Mark Padmore is an opera lightweight from the ethereal sound and almost choirboy purity of his voice...he can sing with penetrating intensity...his is an intimate tenor voice, ideally suited to the Evangelist in Bachs St. Matthew Passion, and, as this new recording again demonstrates, the lieder repertory...This is eloquent lieder singing driven by astute and sensitive attention to the texts. --The New York Times

The songs are thoughtful and the interpretations deeply considered. Tenor Mark Padmore sidles in with an artless tone and only gradually unfurls the fronds of his full voice across the Haydn rarities that open this recital...An die ferne Geliebte finds fortepianist Kristian Bezuidenhout on inspired form: his transitions between songs are seamless, the extended lead-in to Es kehret der Maien notably elegant. --Sinfini Music