The document presented here, recorded in September 1997, is a Gesamtkunstwerk of distinctive charm from The Wondrous Love Story of the Fair Magelone and Count Peter of Provence of Ludwig Tieck and the fifteen Romanzen of Johannes Brahms.

Teack’s novella is based on a chivalric romance from the 14th century, which in turn is itself based on a saga from Provence. It tells the story of the knight Peter, victorious in his every tournament. It tells of his travels, of his courting of Magelone, the beautiful princess o Naples, of her kidnapping, their separation and the lovers’ happy reunification after numerous adventures. The peculiar poetry of these lied Texts, their emotional variety and unusual form impressed the young Johannes Brahms who set the songs to music. The 15 Romanzen aus “Die schöne Magelone” was published as Opus 33 in 1869. Gert Westphal whose inimitable speaking voice expresses the innocence of the fairy tale as well as the archaic literary language Ludwig Tieck. Spirited, trenchant but without overdoing it, this experienced reciter enables listeners to experience the external and internal events of the story which make the dramatic and emotional settings of the songs understandable. In particular, András Schiff elevates his piano part far above what one would usually expect from a lieder accompanist. His playing encompasses the entire spectrum from lyrical tenderness to effectively exploited, powerfully intensified drama. It is not merely a masterful piano performance, it is the high art of musical narrative. And the partnership with Peter Schreier is one rarely encountered. Using the youthful freshness o his voice and a temperament similarly young and fresh, Schreier becomes the knight Peter completely. His extreme outbursts of emotion are just as persuasive as is lyrical depth and restrained contemplation. With his self-assured declamation and his confident sense of style and expression, Schreier demonstrates his high ranking as one of the most versatile and skilled – in very respect – singers of the twentieth century.