Schubert: Winterreise Jan Kobow, tenor Christoph Hammer, fortepiano ACD2 2536 • German tenor Jan Kobow has chosen to sing Schubert’s Winterreise cycle in the keys the composer originally selected.   These original keys possess particular charms that help capture the musical atmosphere of the time.   Jan Kobow is accompanied by Christoph Hammer, who plays on a Viennese fortepiano manufactured around 1810 by Joseph Brodmann.   This is Kobow’s third recording of Schubert lieder for ATMA Classique. • The valuable Brodmann fortepiano was meticulously restored in Hamburg by Ulrich Weymar 200 years later.   Jan Kobow says, “It has a clear and brilliant tone which is somewhat contrary to the darker keys we are used to when hearing Winterreise.   But this is compensated for by its quite lower pitch of 420 Hertz.”   The performers decided on tuning the Brodmann piano in the old way — known as “unevenly hovering” — which makes this historical instrument sound better than when it is tuned according to current practises. • Kobow’s 2007 ATMA Classique recording of Schubert's Schwanengesang was enthusiastically received by American Record Guide: “Kobow sings with great sensitivity to the words, and his articulation, enunciation, and phrasing are superb.”   Jan Kobow has been engaged for numerous CD productions and broadcasts.   Several of his recordings have received the Deutsche Schallplattenpreis. Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Winterreise, D 911 “Erste Abtheilung” Première partie | First part   1- Gute Nacht [ 5:14 ]   2- Die Wetterfahne [ 1:39 ]   3- Gefrorne Tränen [ 2:21 ]   4- Erstarrung [ 2:43 ]   5- Der Lindenbaum [ 4:07 ]   6- Wasserflut [ 3:23 ]   7- Auf dem Flusse [ 3:05 ]   8- Rückblick [ 1:51 ]   9- Irrlicht [ 2:23 ] 10- Rast [ 3:07 ] 11- Frühlingstraum [ 3:32 ] 12- Einsamkeit [ 2:27 ] “Zweite Abtheilung” Deuxième partie | Second part 13- Die Post [ 2:0] 14- Der greise Kopf [ 2:25 ] 15- Die Krähe [ 1:49 ] 16- Letzte Hoffnung [ 1:56 ] 17- Im Dorfe [ 2:58 ] 18- Der stürmische Morgen [0:50 ] 19- Täuschung [ 1:20 ] 20- Der Wegweiser [ 3:29 ] 21- Das Wirtshaus [ 3:32 ] 22- Mut! 1:19 ] 23- Die Nebensonnen [ 2:18 ] 24- Der Leiermann [3:37 ] ATMA Classique is distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading PO Box 44, Briar Hill, Vic, 3088, Australia Telephone +61 (0)3 9432 4149 ~ Facsimile +61 (0)3 9444 6879