Lieder

This world premiere recording spans Tekla Griebel Wandall's debut in the 1890s through to the esoteric visions of her later years, and features a stellar cast of emerging Danish singers who bring the composer's vivid songs to life. From the macabre irony of a setting of Heinrich Heine to the profound emotional journey of J.P. Jacobsen's poems, Wandall explores seemingly irreconcilable opposites and plays with both form and emotion. Tekla Griebel Wandall grew up as the daughter of a German violinist who struggled to make a living as a musician. After attending an opera at the Royal Danish Theatre, she knew it was her destiny to become a composer and write operas. She made her debut as a composer in the 1890s. Her subsequent obscurity, however, tells a tragic story of depression, a failed marriage and a life in poverty. Despite all this, she remained determined to continue composing throughout her life. She had a preference for songs in which she could express her true passion: music that was narrative and expressive and closely connected to plot and text. The world premiere recordings on this album present a selection from her song oeuvre that emphasizes her sense of drama and longing, irony and humour. This album is an excellent first step towards giving Tekla Griebel Wandall's music the place it deserves. The album is recorded by four remarkable young artists, Louise McClelland Jacobsen (soprano), Sophie Haagen (mezzo-soprano), Kristoffer Appel (tenor) and Asmus Hanke Frederiksen (baritone), who give the first interpretations of these rarely heard songs. They are accompanied by Laurits Dragsted on piano.