The German Romantic poet Friedrich HÃ¶lderlin spent most of his life in isolation in a tower on the banks of the Neckar river, following a mental illness. His poems have long fascinated composers. 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of his birth. The Nicaraguan-British composer Geoffrey Alvarez's monumental song cycle, "HÃ¶lderlinfenster" imagines the poet through a "frame" of Schubert's "Schwanengesang". Poet and composer never met in real life but perhaps here their spirits do. Alvarez writes music of great intensity and intimate drama on a sometimes epic scale. His highly personal tonal language defies easy categorization but conveys a "HÃ¶lderlin river journey" with admirable expressiveness.

Tracklist:

Hölderlinfenster: No. 1, Vorspiel
Hölderlinfenster: No. 2, Der Nekar
Hölderlinfenster: No. 3, Wie Meeresküsten
Hölderlinfenster: No. 4, Ihr Sichergebaueten Alpen
Hölderlinfenster: No. 5, Der Spaziergang
Hölderlinfenster: No. 6, Die Asyle
Hölderlinfenster: No. 7, In Lieblicher Bläue
Hölderlinfenster: No. 8, Der Ister
Hölderlinfenster: No. 9, Lebenslauf
Hölderlinfenster: No. 10, An Zimmern
Hölderlinfenster: No. 11, Die Wanderung
Hölderlinfenster: No. 12, An Die Parzen
Hölderlinfenster: No. 13, Vom Delphin
Hölderlinfenster: No. 14, Das Fröhliche Leben
Hölderlinfenster: No. 15, Die Heimath
Hölderlinfenster: No. 16, Burg Tübingen

UPC: 8033776712503
Label: Sheva Collection
Release Date: 8.21.20
Format: CD

Alvarez / Fredrick / Viale - Holderlinfenster (2 CD)