Track Listing

1. Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme, BWV 645
2. Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
3. Nun Freut Euch, Lieben Christen, BWV 734
4. Ich Ruf Zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639
5. Opus 19, No. 3 (Songs Without Words)
6. Opus 67, No. 2 (Songs Without Words)
7. Opus 30, No. 4 (Songs Without Words)
8. Opus 19, No. 1 (Songs Without Words)
9. Opus 19, No. 5 (Songs Without Words)
10. Opus 30, No. 6 (Songs Without Words)
11. Opus 38, No. 3 (Songs Without Words)
12. Opus 102, No. 5 (Songs Without Words)
13. Opus 39, No. 2 (Songs Without Words)
14. Opus 30, No. 2 (Songs Without Words)
15. Opus 67, No 1 (Songs Without Words)
16. Opus 38, No. 6 (Songs Without Words)
17. Opus 67, No. 4 (Songs Without Words)
18. Opus 53, No. 4 (Songs Without Words)
19. Opus 62, No. 2 (Songs Without Words)
20. Auf Dem Wasser Zu Singen
21. Erlk�nig
22. In Der Ferne
23. St�ndchen

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21858 in Music
• Released on: 1999-11-15
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
The heart of this collection is 15 of Mendelssohn's Songs without Words, those eternally lovely miniatures, well selected and played by Perahia with the lyrical sense the music needs. Too bad he didn't record them all. The disc opens with four of Busoni's Bach transcriptions, all organ chorale preludes based on sung hymns (hence the connection and the title). These, too, are well done, very clear and fleet and with impressive agility in "Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein." The conclusion is four of Liszt's brilliant arrangements of Schubert songs, again played with wonderful lyricism and some high drama that indicates Perahia knows the original songs and their texts very well. Despite the title, the album isn't totally congruent, but everything on it is well worth hearing. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

Luscious music
This is the music you would want to play on a bright and crisp SUnday morning, with a soft spring breeze moving the curtains and the patio doors are wide open. I am no expert on classical pianists, but Mr Perahia plays velvety, rich and cristal tones. The choice of pieces moves from soft, reminiscing (Bach) to a bit more lively (Liszt). But the whole CD meanders like a little stream though your room, never annoying always enchanting.

The choice of music is interesting, circumventing the obiquitous Chopin and Beethoven.

This CD is an ideal gift to anyone who likes pianomusic, or anyone starting to digest classical music (like me). Simply beatiful.

beautiful beyond words
this CD is so beautiful that I used it at my own wedding; it has power, lyricism and variety

Murray at his very best (and most original in terms of pieces juxtaposed)

I love it!
I've listened to this so often and it is always a joy. And if I'm stuck for a modest gift, it's always very well received - we must have given away 8 - 10 copies!