FRANZ SCHUBERT (1797-1828): Adrast, D 137 (fragment), Szene aus Faust, D 126 (orch. Ernst Naumann [1832-1910]), for Baritone and Orchestra: Memnon, D 541, An Schwager Kronos, D 369, Greisengesang, D 778, Gruppe aus dem Tartarus, D 583, Geheimes, D 719, for Soprano, Women's Choir and Winds: Ellens zweiter Gesang, D 838 (all orch. Johannes Brahms [1833-1897]), Erlkönig, D 328 for Soprano and Orchestra (orch. Hector Berlioz [1803-1869]).

Description: An intended Singspiel to a text by his friend Meyerhofer, Adrast was based on an incident in Herodotus involving Croesus, his son Atys and Adrastus, a homicide in exile. Dating probably from 1819-20, it survives in seven complete numbers (two orchestral) which have been thoroughly revised for this recording using autograph manuscripts. At least in the CD era, I can find only a single aria from Adrast (on a Hyperion disc from 2001); now we can hear 38 minutes of it. Brahms shows both his special affection for Schubert's Lieder and his own personality in orchestrating them. The six-minute Szene is the only first recording claimed by the label. German texts. Barbara Berens (soprano), Martin Nagy (tenor), Steffen Lachenmann (baritone), Potsdam Chamber Choir, Brandenburg Symphony; Gernot Schulz.