Max Kowalski (1882-1956) : Opus 1
Suzi More

Record Label: Lil Red Hen (MP3)
© Copyright-Public Domain (634479808067)
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/suzimore3
1. Die Schwartze Laute 2:17
2. Im Entschlafen 0:47
3. Das Bucklicht Mannlein 1:51
4. Helle Nacht 1:36
5. Wiegenlied 1:16
6. Tanzlied 0:40

Album Notes

Max Kowalski(1882-1956) was born in Kowal, Poland. His family moved the next year to Frankfort, Germany, where he grew up, studied and earned Doctorates in both Music and Law (his specialty was Copyrights). His teacher of compostition was Bernhard Sekles and voice, Alexander Heineman. In Germany from 1913 till 1931, Max Kowalski was a prolific composer of beautiful lieder in the Romantic style. Although he was Jewish, Max Kowalski wrote music of all styles and genres, from Japanese, Chinese, Danish, Arabic, French and that of many great German authors,he even wrote a Marienlieder in his Opus 12. He was friend to many other composers, artists and performers and every song cycle he wrote was quickly published until Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich took over the country. In the late 30's Kowalski was very involved with the "Kulterbund" in Frankfort, Germany and his music continued to have popularity in their orchestral concerts. He is mentioned and highlighted by his presence at the last Kulturbund concert(1938) in Martin Goldsmith's book entitled "The Inextinguishable Symphony". By the end of 1938, Kowalski was arrested and spent time in Buchenwald but within a month he was released and he fled to England where he spent the rest of his life teaching voice, singing in a Synagogue and making a humble living. Although no music of his was ever published again, he kept writing new works, 17 new song cycles in manuscripts which singers performed in concerts and on radio. Opus 1 is his first composition dated 1913 and first published by Leukart in Germany. It had been out-of-print many years until Dr. Walter Foster of Recital Publications in Huntsville, Texas took up the committment to bring as many of Max Kowalski's song cycles to the public as possible. So far, 11 of his 17 previously published cycles have been reprinted.

A New Jersey native, Miss More has performed extensively throughout the United States and abroad. She has been soloist and has appeared in numerous operatic roles performing with the Festival Chorus of New Jersey, the Masterwork Chorus and Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Singers, the Plainfield Symphony, Ars Musica Antiqua, the Garden State Chorale, the State Repertory Opera, Jersey Lyric Opera, Choral Baccarelli (Sao Paulo, Brazil), the Academy of Vocal Arts Opera Theatre (Philadelphia, PA), Montclair Chamber Orchestra, and numerous others. In 1989, she was the award-winning collaborator along with composer Loretta Jankowski, of a song cycle entitled Phoenix, published internationally by Boosey & Hawkes, in December 1993. The work, featuring Ms. More, was presented at both the Los Angeles, California (1989), and Little Rock, Arkansas, national Association of Teacher's of singing (NATS) conventions. She is a recipient of several Lila Wallace/Reader's Digest Incentive Grants, for performance and research. She is a member of the NATS, NJ, NYC and National chapters. Also, a composer of jazz, folk and children's songs. Her voice teachers and coaches include Franco Rossi-Roudett, Terrence Shook, Helen Fenstermacher, Chloe Owens, Daniel Ferro, Marlena Malas, Dorothea Discala, Frank Valentino, Deborah Taylor, and Dolores Cassinelli. She has appeared in master classes with Elly Amelling, Jerome Hines, Judith Raskin, and Daltin Baldwin. Ms. Morehead holds a B.A. degree from Rutgers University, M.A. degree from Jersey City State College, and pursued studies at the Academy of Vocal Arts, in Philadelphia, and New York University.

She has worked as voice teacher, chorus director and Orff specialist at the Newark School of the Arts for over 24 years. As well as has taught several years in the Passaic School district as music specialist.

This CD was originally recorded by Robert Speiden of Plainfield, NJ. It has been mixed and re-mastered by Max Caselnova at Clearcut Recording Studios, Garfield, NJ.

Songs and Translations

1. Die schwarze Laute
Aus dem Rosenstocke vom Grabe des Christ eine schwarze Laute gebauet ist, der wurden grüne Reben zu Saiten gegeben.O wehe du, wie selig sang, so eros süß, so Jesus bang die schwarze Rosen laute! Ich hörte sie singen in maienlichter Nacht, da bin ich zur Liebe
in Schmerzen erwacht, da wurde meinem Leben die Sehnsucht gegeben. O wehe du, wie selig sang,so eros süß, so Jesus bang die schwarze Rosenlaute!
1. The Black Lute
From the rose bush on the grave of Christ a black lute is built. Green vines are used for the strings, O alas how heavenly it sang, so eros-sweet, So Jesus played the black rose-lute! I heard it sing in the light May night. There I was awakened to Love in sorrow, There longing was given to my life. Text by Otto Julius Bierbaum (1865-1910)

2. Im Entschlafen
Blasse, Bluten neigen ihre duftende Pracht, ein un endliches Schwiegen naht auf demn Schwingen der Nacht. Ruhe schleicht sich wieder in die Seele zuruck, mude schlies ich die Lider, traument vom fliehenden Gluck. text by by Kurt Kamlah
2.The Dormition
Pale, dripping tendrils tend their fragrant beauty, the restful dreams arrive on the wings of the night. Peace creeps back into the soul back as I slept with tired eyelids, happiness in my dreams as my fears flee.

3. Das bucklichte Männlein
Will ich in mein Gärtlein gehn, Will ich meine Zwiebeln gießen, Steht ein bucklicht Männlein da, Fängt als an zu niesen.Will ich in mein Küchel gehn,Will mein Süpplein kochen,Steht ein bucklicht Männlein da, Hat mein Töpflein brochen.Will ich in mein Stüblein gehn, Will mein Müslein essen, Steht ein bucklicht Männlein da,Hat schon halber gessen.Setz ich mich ans Rädlein hin, Will mein Fädlein drehen, Steht ein bucklicht Männlein da, Läßt mir's Rad nicht laufen.Geh ich in mein Kämmerlein, Will mein Bettlein machen,Steht ein bucklicht Männlein da,Fängt als an zu lachen. Wenn ich an mein Bänklein knie,Will ein wenig beten,Steht ein bucklicht Männlein da, Fängt als an zu reden:"Liebes Kindlein, ach, ich bitt, Bet fürs bucklichte Männlein mit!"
3.The Hunch-backed Little Man
I want to go to my little garden to water my onions, A little hunchbacked man stands there, he begins to sneeze. I go to my little kitchen to cook my little soup, A hunchbacked little man stands there he has broken my little pot. I want to go to my little dining room to eat my Muesli, A little hunchbacked man stands there he's already eaten half. I sit down at my little spinning wheel to spin my little thread, A little hunchbacked man stands there, He won't let my wheel run. I go to my little bedroom to make my little bed, A little hunchbacked man stands there, he begins to laugh, When I kneel at my little bench to pray a little, A little hunchbacked man stands there, he begins to speak: Dear little child, I beg you, pray for the hunchbacked man!!

4.Helle Nacht
Weich küßt die Zweige der weiße Mond. Ein Flüstern wohntim Laub, als neige,als schweige sich der Hain zur Ruh:Geliebte du – Der Weiher ruht, Und die Weide schimmert.Ihr Schatten flimmert in seiner Flut, und der Wind weint in den Bäumen:wir träumen –träumen – Die Weiten leuchtenBeruhigung.Die Niederunghebt bleich den feuchten Schleier hin zum Himmelssaum:o hin - o Traum
4. Bright Night
Softly the pale moon kisses the branches.A whisper rustles the leaves as the forest nods and quiets itself to rest. Beloved thou The pond rests; the willow shimmers, its shadows pale in the flow,And the wind weeps in the trees.
We dream –dream The world brightens with peace From the valley a misty veil rises to the edge of heaven Away - O dream.Text-Richard Fedor Leopold Dehmel (1863-1920) of Paul Verlaine (1844-1896)– Translated by Barbara Van Savage

5. Wiegenlied
Bienchen, Bienchen, Wiegt sich im Sonnenschein, Spielt um mein Kindelein, Summt dich in Schlummer ein, Süßes Gesicht. Spinnchen, Spinnchen, Flimmert im Sonnenschein, Schlummre mein Schlüpft aus dem Sonnenschein Träume mein Kindelein Haucht dir ein Seelchen ein: Liebe zum Licht.Kindelein,Spinnt dich in Träume ein, Rühre dich nicht! Tiefe delinchen Schlüpft aus dem Sonnenschein Träume mein Kindelein Haucht dir ein Seelchen ein: Liebe zum Licht.
5. Lullaby
Little bee, little bee, buzzing in the sun’ shining, Playing near my little child, Humming a lullaby to sleep, Sweetest face. Little spider, little spider, your silk is Shimmering in the sun’s shining, Slumber, my little child, Spinning yourself to sleep Disturb not yourself. You have such riches child, we slip from the sunshine Dream, my little child, Breathing life and love little soul: Love of the light.Text by Richard Fedor Leopold Dehmel (1863-1920)

6. Tanzlied
Es ist ein Reihen geschlungen, ein Reihen auf dem grünen Plan,und ist ein Lied gesungen,das hebt mit Sehnen an, mit Sehnen, also süße, daß Weinen sich mit Lachen paart:hebt im Tanz die Füße auf lenzeliche Art.
6. Dance Song
A path is winding; a path in the green meadow. and a song is sung which lifts with longing,With longing so sweet that weeping pairs with laughter.And lifts the feet in a springtime dance.Text:Otto Julius Bierbaum (1865-1910) Translation by Barbara Van Savage.