The Great Lieder Cycles In English Singing Translations

Here, for the first time, a singer has created a true, line by line, translation of all the song cycles of Schubert and Schumann, along with Beethovens An Die Ferne Geliebte (To The Distant Beloved), Mahlers Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen (Songs Of A Wayfarer) and the rare Eliland By Alexander Von Fielitz. With the needs of the singer, and also the listener, in mind I have by each line a faithful, rhyming translation of the original poems. It became clear to me at the start of my concert career, at my very first recital at Londons Wigmore Hall, that the greater part of the audience were hearing only piano and voice, and that the wonderful poetry which was the inspiration of the composer, was lost to the listener. My ambition was to translate and make recordings of all the great song cycles so that the whole world can enjoy the wonderful poetry set to music. Jeffrey Benton.