JOSEF RHEINBERGER (1839-1901): Die Wasserfee, Op. 21 and Lockung, Op. 25 for Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone and Piano, Op. 21, Aus verborgnem Tal for Baritone and Piano, Op. 136, Am Seegestade for Tenor and Piano, Op. 158.

Description: World Premiere Recordings of two song cycles, each to poems by Rheinberger's wife, Tal (1883 and mostly portraits of nature associated with the couple's personal history) a 14-song cycle lasting 37 minutes and Seegestade (1888-89 and treating the theme of farewell or melancholic remebrance, written under the impression of the death of King Ludwig II of Bavaria) of eight songs with a length of 27 minutes. Bright, amiable and comforting even when dealing with deep sadness, these lieder have a positive attitude and a Haydnesque clarity. German-English texts. Lydia Teuscher (soprano), Christine Müller (mezzo), Andreas Weller (tenor), Klaus Häger (baritone), Götz Payer (piano).