Frauenliebe und Leben Robert Schumann Clara Schumann Johannes Brahms Susan Platts, mezzo-soprano Rena Sharon, piano, violin ACD2 2586 Canadian mezzo-soprano Susan Platts brings a uniquely rich and wide-ranging voice to the concert and recital repertoire for alto and mezzo-soprano.   In May of 2004, as part of the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative, Jessye Norman chose Ms. Platts from 26 candidates world-wide to be her protégé.   Since then, she has had the honour of having Ms Norman as her mentor. For her second recording on ATMA Classique, Platts returns to the German Romantic repertoire.   [She first appeared on ACD2 2350 as soloist on Brahms' Two Songs for Alto Voice, Viola and Piano, op. 91.]   This recording features lieder by the closely-linked trio of Robert and Clara Schumann, and their close friend and protégé, Johannes Brahms. Canadian pianist Rena Sharon began performing concerts throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe at the age of 19, and is among Canada's foremost chamber musicians.   She is founder and Artistic Director of The Song Circle, an innovative performance company dedicated to the art of song, she has cowritten and directed 5 theatre pieces.   Ms Sharon is Professor of Collaborative Piano Studies at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.   She is also the founding Artistic Director of the Vancouver International Song Institute, a centre for interdisciplinary studies and performances of song, and Artistic Director of the Young Artist Experience, an interdisciplinary chamber music summer program. Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Frauenliebe und Leben Op. 42   1. Seit ich ihn   2. Er, der Herlichste   3. Ich kanns   4. Du Ring   5. Helf mir   6. Susser freund   7. An meinen Herzen   8. Nun hast du mir Clara Schumann (1819-1896)   9. Ich Stand in dunklen Traumen Op 13, No. 1 10. Mein Stern 11. Was weinst du, Blumlein Op. 23, No. 1 12. Liebst du um Schönheit Op 12, No 4 13. Die gute nacht Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) 14. Dein blaues Auge Op. 59, No. 8 15. Wir Wandelten Op. 96, No. 2 16. Verzagen Op. 72, No. 4 17. Es traumte mir Op. 57, No 3 18.Der Jager Op. 95, No. 4 19. Das Madchen spricht Op. 107, No. 3 20.Vergebliches Ständchen Op. 84, No. 4 21. Geheimnis Op. 71, No. 3 22.Muss es eine Trennung Op. 33, No. 12 23.Ruhe Sussliebchen Op. 39 No. 3 24.Wie Melodien zieht es Op. 105, No 1 25. Meine liebe ist grun Op. 63, No. 5 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