Hinrich Alpers - Rudi Stephan: Chamber Works and Songs (2017) [Hi-Res]

The rediscovery of an outstanding composer, Rudi Stephan, who was born in Worms in 1887 and who is now almost completely forgotten. But Stephan, who died in 1915 in the First World War, left a body of works that is definitely worth rediscovering.

The pianist Hinrich Alpers has spent more than fifteen years undertaking research in various archives and rediscovering large parts of Stephan’s output as a composer. Co-produced in association with Deutschlandradio, the whole of his chamber music has been recorded for the first time on CD. Included here are not only the "Groteske für Geige und Klavier" and the "Musik für sieben Saiteninstrumente" but also two song cycles, "Ich will Dir singen ein Hohelied" and "Zwei ernste Gesänge", as well as the „Sieben Lieder nach verschiedenen Dichtern“. These fascinating works dazzle us with their impressive beauty and exceptional maturity. Featuring a number of distinguished artists, including the well-known baritone Hanno Müller-Brachmann, the soprano Tehila Nini Goldstein, the Kuss Quartet, the violinist Agata Szymczewska, the double-bass player Nabil Shehata and the harpist Marie-Pierre Langlamet, the CD is being released to mark the 130th anniversary of Rudi Stephan’s birth (July 29th 2017).