The available selection of Clara Schumann's songs has been increasing, which is all to the good; they reveal a composer whose thinking was closely connected with that of her husband, who had the talent to keep up with what he was doing, and whose musical language in the realm of the art song kept developing even as Robert turned away from the genre. This Naxos release takes an unusual approach: it is, essentially, a historically authentic performance of the songs. Swiss-German pianist Hedayet Djeddikar uses an 1828 Stein piano owned by Clara Schumann herself, and the accompaniments take on the subtle colors made possible by fortepiano performance. Djeddikar has an especially nice way with Schumann's treatment of the upper register in the accompaniment, which adds a fantastic, melancholy, or playful note depending on the circumstances. Soprano
Dorothea Craxton tries for an intimate vocal approach to match the piano and the charming sonic ambiance of the Schumannhaus in Zwickau. This is a good idea in principle, but
Craxton's sound has little support in her upper register. She sounds fine in small doses, especially in limpid pieces like "Die gute Nacht" from the Four Songs by Friedrich Rückert, Op. 12. But over the course of the entire program of 29 songs the shaky intonation at crucial moments may result in aural fatigue. This release is a classic example of an original approach awaiting other performers to come along with improved execution. Texts and translations (into English only) are available only online.