Munich, Germany – September 12, 2024 – Opera superstar Jonas Kaufmann unveils a deeply personal new album, “Doppelgänger,” showcasing his intimate interpretation of robert Schumann‘s song cycles alongside a compelling performance of Franz Schubert‘s “Schwanengesang.” Released by Sony Classical, the album-recorded during the 2020 Corona lockdown-features Kaufmann’s long-time piano partner, Helmut Deutsch, and offers a rare glimpse into the tenor’s artistic evolution with bonus tracks from his 1994 study recordings with Jan Philip Schulze.
The album centers on Schumann’s “Dichterliebe,” Op. 48, and “Kerner-Lieder,” Op. 35, born from a spontaneous collaboration between Kaufmann and Deutsch at Kaufmann’s home in Herrsching am Ammersee. Deutsch describes the recording process as feeling like “good old house music.”
“Doppelgänger” also includes a DVD of Kaufmann’s critically acclaimed performance of Schubert’s “Schwanengesang,” staged by Claus Guth in New York, portraying the cycle as the story of a traumatized man during World War I. Critics note kaufmann’s voice has gained “depth of substance” over the years, especially suited to the dramatic intensity of the songs, while acknowledging a shift from effortless high notes to a more powerfully grounded tone.
Album Details:
Jonas Kaufmann – “Doppelgänger”
CD:
* Robert Schumann: “Dichterliebe,” Op. 48; “Kerner-Lieder,” Op. 35; Selected Songs
* Performers: Jonas Kaufmann (tenor), Helmut Deutsch (piano), Jan Philip Schulze (piano)
DVD:
* franz Schubert: “Schwanengesang,” D. 957 (Staged by Claus Guth)
* Performers: Jonas Kaufmann (tenor), Helmut Deutsch (piano)
Label: Sony Classical
Broadcast: “Piazza” on BR-Klassik, September 13, 2024, at 8:05 a.m.
