cellist Park Yu-shin, who is the artistic director of the Autumn Chamber Music Festival and the Pohang International Music Festival, released Schubert’s song collection ‘Winterreise’ as an album on the Warner label. It was recorded at the Tongyeong International Concert Hall in November last year with German pianist Florian Ulrich. Yushin Park said, “It is meaningful to play the existing cello repertoire well, but I wanted to do my own work that was more meaningful.”
The cello is known as ‘the instrument that most closely resembles the human (especially male) voice.’ This is the second album in which Park Yu-shin played the vocal parts of a German song collection on the cello, following Schumann’s ‘The Poet’s Love’ in 2022.
When performing the vocal part of a song with an instrument, two approaches can be imagined. One is to actively express lyrics that instruments cannot express using descriptive techniques. The other is to emphasize the flow of the melody rather than the content of the lyrics. Park Yu-shin chose the latter. He brought out the pure tone of the cello by fully utilizing the length of each note and using vibrato without exaggeration.
The emotions of each song are expressed in units of greater length than the vocalist’s song. Here, the collaboration with accompanist Ulrich plays an critically important role. The third song ‘Frozen Tears’ is a representative example. In the third verse, where emotions are heightened, the tempo is tightened and the song ends with a powerful cello melody.
the recording of this album has clear sound and a good sense of space. This is an album that I want to play in my room in early winter while looking at the increasingly lonely scenery outside the window.
‘Winterreise’, a representative repertoire of German song collections, can be enjoyed in various arrangements in addition to songs by vocalists. A representative cello performance is the album featuring Martin Rummel’s cello and Norman Shetler’s piano. Narration also appears between each song. Franz Liszt arranged twelve songs, half of the 24 songs in this collection, for piano solo. The album performed by pianist Leslie Howard is loved. The album, in which oboist Clara Dent Boggani and bassist bence Boggani replace the vocal department, also delivers a unique charm.
There are several albums in which the accompaniment part is replaced with instruments other than the piano. Tenor Christoph Frégardien recorded 12 songs accompanied by guitarist Tilmann Hopstok. The simple tone of the guitar brings out more warmth than expected. There is also an album recorded by Frégardien with accordionist Josef Patrick and a wind quintet. The album recorded by tenor Peter Schreyer with the Dresden String Quartet is also loved.
German composer Hans Zender arranged ‘Winterreise’ into a version with modern ensemble accompaniment. There are albums by tenor Julian Fregardien, son of Christoph Pregardien, in collaboration with the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie.
rnrn
Yoo Yun-jong, cultural reporter [email protected]
-
- great
- 0dog
-
- I’m sad
- 0dog
-
- I’m angry
Hot news now
- I’m angry
- 0dog
How does the collaboration between Park Yu-shin and pianist Florian Ulrich enhance the emotional impact of ‘Winterreise’?
interview Between Time.news Editor and Expert on Park Yu-shin’s ‘Winterreise’
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special feature on classical music! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with renowned musicologist dr. Sarah Klein, who has extensively studied the crossover of instrumental techniques in vocal works. Thank you for joining us, Dr. klein.
Dr. sarah Klein: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss Park Yu-shin’s innovative approach to Schubert’s ‘Winterreise.’
Editor: Park Yu-shin recently released a captivating album of ’Winterreise’ where he performs the vocal parts on the cello, accompanied by pianist Florian Ulrich. What do you think motivated him to choose this piece and transform it into a cello performance?
Dr. Klein: Park Yu-shin’s choice is particularly significant because ‘winterreise’ is a cornerstone of the German art song repertoire, renowned for its deep emotional narrative. By performing it on the cello, he is exploring the instrument’s unique ability to mimic the human voice, which resonates with Schubert’s original intent to convey profound human emotions. As he stated, he wanted to create something meaningful beyond merely executing existing cello repertoire.
Editor: Absolutely! He made a conscious decision to emphasize the flow of the melody over the lyrical content. How does this choice impact the listening experience?
Dr. Klein: By prioritizing melody, Park Yu-shin allows listeners to experience the music’s emotive journey in a different light. The cello’s rich, expressive tone envelops the listener, ofen pulling them deeper into the emotional landscape of the piece. As you mentioned, in his take on ‘Frozen Tears,’ the intensity builds beautifully, reminding us that sometimes less is more. It invites the audience to reflect rather than merely react to the lyrics.
Editor: That’s a profound insight! The emotional focus becomes a crucial part of the performance. How pivotal is the collaboration with pianist Florian Ulrich in achieving this effect?
Dr. Klein: Their collaboration is vital! Ulrich’s sensitivity as an accompanist complements Park’s expressive playing. In pieces like ‘Frozen Tears’, where the emotion peaks, the synergy between their interpretations creates a compelling narrative. Together, they establish a rich conversational dynamic, allowing the cello and piano to weave in and out of an emotional dialogue, elevating the entire performance.
Editor: It seems that the recording quality also plays a significant role in how the album is received. The clear sound and sense of space mentioned in reviews can shape the listener’s experience dramatically.
Dr. Klein: Exactly! The spatial quality of the recording can evoke specific feelings and atmospheres. In this case, Park Yu-shin’s ‘Winterreise’ feels intimate, almost like a personal reflection during the solitary winter months.It allows listeners to immerse themselves deeply, enhancing the emotional connection to the music. It’s this combination of thoughtful performance and production that transforms ‘Winterreise’ into a profound auditory experience.
Editor: Do you think this album opens new avenues for classical musicians in reinterpreting traditional works?
Dr. Klein: Definitely! Park’s exploration serves as an inspiration for other musicians to experiment with their interpretations of classical works. It showcases the versatility of classical music and its ability to transcend traditional boundaries. By drawing from different musical forms and instruments, artists can offer fresh perspectives while still honoring the original compositions.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Klein, for your insightful thoughts on Park Yu-shin’s mesmerizing album. It’s inspiring to see how artists like him breathe new life into timeless pieces.
Dr. Klein: It was my pleasure! I’m looking forward to seeing how this trend continues to evolve in the classical music landscape.
Editor: and to our readers, if you haven’t yet listened to Park Yu-shin’s ’Winterreise’, I highly recommend it for those reflective winter nights. Thank you for joining us today!
- I’m angry