Soprano Katharina Konradi and pianist Daniel Heide have unveiled their latest album, marking the third volume in their comprehensive recordings of Franz Liszt’s art songs. This project uniquely focuses on vocal interpretations of poems in French, showcasing Liszt’s mastery of the language. The album reflects Konradi’s dedication to the genre and her aspiration to bring lesser-known works to a broader audience.
Exploring Liszt’s Emotional Depth
Konradi, who is recognized as the first soprano from Kyrgyzstan to achieve international acclaim in the fields of Lied, concert, and opera, has performed at prestigious venues including the Bayerische Staatsoper, Wiener Staatsoper, and Opernhaus Zürich. Her collaboration with Heide, who has a rich history of recording Liszt’s works, inspired the focus on the composer’s French songs. She explained, “The inspiration came from Daniel Heide, who has already recorded two of Liszt’s albums and plans to record several more songs by Liszt. He knew that I was totally obsessed with French, so he asked me to record all the French songs by Liszt.”
Despite Liszt’s vocal music not being widely recognized, Konradi found a profound connection with his songs. “Liszt’s songs are not part of the standard recital repertoire. When I started to learn them, I discovered their huge emotional range,” she noted. Her enthusiasm for the dramatic elements in Liszt’s compositions drives her performances, stating, “A Liszt song is like an opera in one song.”
Recording Challenges and Future Aspirations
The recording process posed significant challenges for Konradi, particularly in maintaining vocal freshness amid rigorous demands. “The biggest challenge was keeping my voice fresh during the whole recording period,” she shared. “Liszt requires total dedication to emotions and a creative approach to the voice regarding his dynamics and phrasing.” The intensity of the material often necessitated long recording sessions, which can be taxing for any vocalist. “When I feel big emotions, I am driven to give all the colors of my voice. This could be dangerous when you have to sing six or seven hours per day in front of the microphone!”
Among her favorite pieces from the album are “Élégie. En ces lieux,” “Oh! quand je dors” (the second version), and “Quand tu chantes bercée.” She expressed particular fondness for an early version of “Oh! quand je dors,” remarking that its rough edges offer a more compelling interpretation than the more well-known rendition.
Looking forward, Konradi hopes to take this album on tour, believing in its potential to resonate with audiences worldwide. “It would be great to go on tour with this ‘Cycle Imaginaire’ because this music has the power to inspire people and to touch their hearts,” she said. Her previous performances of Liszt’s songs have elicited enthusiastic responses, reinforcing her desire to share this music on a global stage.
Reflecting on her collaboration with Heide, Konradi highlighted the dynamic nature of their partnership. “I have worked with Daniel Heide since 2017. We have performed many recitals together, and this album is our second recording,” she explained. Their previous project, recorded during the pandemic, featured songs by Strauss, Mozart, and Schubert. “I learned from Daniel that recital singing could be something agile and spontaneous, and you can’t fix everything in rehearsals,” she noted, emphasizing the creative interplay that unfolds during their performances.
As for future projects, Konradi is eager to continue her recording journey. “Recording is one of my favorite parts of this profession. I try to make one new recording per year. I love working in the studio with a microphone,” she shared. Although she has plans for a new project next year, she kept details under wraps, stating, “For now, it is a secret!”
The release of this album not only showcases Konradi and Heide’s artistic prowess but also serves to elevate Liszt’s vocal works within the classical music canon. The duo’s commitment to exploring and sharing this repertoire reflects a broader ambition to enrich the contemporary concert experience.
