Konrad Jarnot, baritone · Helmut Deutsch, piano
Konrad Jarnot has long proven that he knows how to apply his baritone with sense and sensibility both on the opera stage and as a lied singer. In 2000 he won the 49th Inter-national Music Competition of the ARD, a first prize that is seldomly granted in this competition. The student of Piernay, Rilling and Fischer-Dieskau constantly enjoys triumphant successes in concert halls all over the world. This selection of songs by Ravel and Duparc gives an example of what makes Jarnot so special.
Henri Duparc (1848–1933)
Les Mélodies
Henri Fouques-Duparc was gifted with
an uncommon creative genius. However,
he also suffered with a nervous disease
that exagerated the composer’s normal
critical sensitivity. For the greatest part of
his life, Duparc was not even able to think of
writing a single note of music. Fortunately,
Duparc managed between the ages of 20
and 37, to enjoy a proli.c creativity. During
this time he composed, amongst other
works 14 Mélodies that prove Duparc’s
genius and have left behind an important
and permanent musical „testament”. The
12 Mélodies here recorded are those for
male voice.
Maurice Ravel (1875–1937)
Shéhérazade
Maurice Ravel composed Shéhérazade
(1903) with an exqusitely sculpted vocal
line. The Poem was recited, at Ravel’s
request by the poet Tristan Klingsor himself.
Ravel’s enthusiasm for song was always
related to expression of text and its meaning,
not just sounds without context and
reason. Exemplary are the two movements
„La .ute enchantée” and „L’ indifférent”,
where Ravel tries to express pure emotion
as directly as possible. The work is usually
performed with female voice. However, the
text remains neutral. This recording ist a
world-premiere-recording for baritone and
piano.