Tenor: Werner Güra

Clarinet: Laura Ruiz Ferreres

Piano: Christoph Berner

Swiss label Pan Classics (2022)

Co-production with Deutschlandfunk

Fantasy songs and pieces from the early German Romanticism period for tenor, clarinet and piano

The fantasy songs and pieces in this selection, written for the extremely rare combination of tenor, clarinet and piano, were composed during a 20-year period, between 1828 and 1848.

In terms of their tonal language and poetic approach, these pieces are highly characteristic of the self-image projected by early Romanticism. The poets and composers that adhered to this movement believed that the natural phenomena they so enthusiastically described were actually a true reflection of their inner souls. In addition, nature is also the idealised refuge of the artist who is misunderstood both by his peers and by his unhappy lover.

Song has always played a fundamental role throughout the varied and prestigious career of German tenor Werner Güra. His numerous recordings, accompanied by pianist Christoph Berner, have won countless awards and earned him critical acclaim, while the duet has performed in all of the world’s major concert halls. From the very first moment that their musical paths crossed with Laura Ruiz Ferreres, an internationally renowned clarinettist, an immediate connection was established, sparking the desire to put their uncanny understanding on full display in a little-appreciated repertoire of some of the finest composers of German Romanticism.

These pieces can be found on the trio’s latest release, Lyrisches Intermezzo, where the fantasy pieces and songs reveal a romantic outlook on life.