FRANZ XAVER STERKEL (1750-1817): Lieder: Lied im Freien, Phylis an ihren Damis, Ermunterung, Liebesbothen, An Lina, Elise, Des Jägers Abendlied, Philint an Suschen, Die Spröde, Die Biene, Der Geist der Harmonie, Abendlied, Erinnerung des 15ten May 1793, Die Vollendung, Misero tu non sei, M’hanno detto, che il marito, Adonta del fato mio bene adorato, Fantaisie for Piano, Op. 45.

Description: An hour’s worth of mostly German song from the end of the 18th century, a pre-Schubertian time not often explored on recordings. The poets are both well-known and obscure, the subjects the time-honored ones of nature, the joy of life and the ups and downs of love rendered in music both charming and sophisticated. German, Italian-English texts. Julia von Landsberg (soprano), Jan Kobow (tenor), Sylvia Acknermann (tangent piano), Thomas Höhne (guitar).