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Johann Kaspar Mertz; Franz Schubert
Vienna Concert
Raphaella Smits
Guitarist Raphaella Smits is a treasure, and her latest recording is too. While the album title might lead you to expect a live recording, that’s not what this is; instead, it seems to be an example of what a guitar concert in an intimate domestic setting in Vienna might have sounded like, circa the early 1800s. Hence the instrument (a gut-strung, eight-string guitar built around 1827) and the repertoire (early Romantic pieces by Johann Kaspar Mertz, along with several arrangements of Schubert songs). I came to this disc fully expecting to enjoy the Mertz pieces and to be captivated by the Schubert ones, which include arranged selections from his lieder collections Schwanengesang and Winterreise, but the Mertz kept taking me by surprise - particularly the heart-stoppingly gorgeous Lied ohne Worte from his opus 13 Bardenklänge collection. Smits herself plays with subtle but astonishing virtuosity, not only of technique but of musicality - her use of rubato, of glissandi and of vibrato exquisitely tasteful throughout. Highly recommended to all libraries.
- Rick Anderson
"Raphaëlla Smits, recently acclaimed by Jean Bernard at Diapason as 'one of the most delicate and cultivated artists of our time', once again surprises with her multi-awarded, as honest as dewy, meticulously 'exact' but always extremely personal rendition of two great composers. The Biedermeier atmosphere of Vienna, the glorious capital of Austria-Hungary, a time when new forms of entertainment seized their chance, comes to life in the work of composers who were very fond of the guitar instrument. For years Franz Schubert, who did not own a piano, composed most of his compositions on the guitar that hung above his bed and on which he played before getting up. In addition to his own original music, Johann Kaspar also arranged music by other composers and popular folk or folkloristic motifs. Raphaëlla Smits descends into the depths of both oeuvres; her particularly beautifully breathing dynamism and sense of unexpectedly bright detail guarantees a listening adventure full of surprises".
- Bart Stouten, Radio Klara, BE.
“Raphaella Smits has not made any concessions in this recording. With her inquiring mind, she has immersed herself in the spirit of the age and unveiled the guitar technical craft of the time. All works here are performed on an eight-string guitar, strung with gut strings.
Mertzian virtuosity is self-evident and is not an end in itself. With her playing she immerses the listener in the musical world of emotions of the first half of the nineteenth century. Raphaella Smits plays technically perfectly and with a flawless sense of the right style. This recording can be considered a benchmark for future performances of the works of Johann Kaspar Mertz.”
- Hein Sanderink, NL
“Raphaella Smits has long been one of my favorite guitarists, with the perfect blend of style, virtuosity, and musicianship. Her inspired interpretations always captivate the listener, unfolding like the pages of a great novel that keep you clinging to every word.”
- Frank Koonce, USA
“Raphaella Smits is devoted to the music of the 19th century with enthusiasm and clairvoyance. Beyond the theoretical speeches, one understands so well with her how much the old manufacture completely influences the technical approach, the color of tone, and therefore the esthetics of this repertoire. Fascinating!”
- Danielle Ribouillault, FR
“Raphaella Smits is a master at evoking moods and carries the listeners into a musical dimension whose beauty, genius and perfection border on the miraculous. Raphaella Smits is particularly fascinated by the intensity of her playing, which is permeated by an aura of perfection that only the great guitar soloists can achieve.”
- Bianca Flier, DE
“The music itself is second to none: Mertz was a stunning composer, one of the few to carry the Romantic flag fully when writing his works. If somehow you have missed his music, Smits’ discs would be a good place to start.”
- C.D.
Vienna Concert
Raphaella Smits
Guitarist Raphaella Smits is a treasure, and her latest recording is too. While the album title might lead you to expect a live recording, that’s not what this is; instead, it seems to be an example of what a guitar concert in an intimate domestic setting in Vienna might have sounded like, circa the early 1800s. Hence the instrument (a gut-strung, eight-string guitar built around 1827) and the repertoire (early Romantic pieces by Johann Kaspar Mertz, along with several arrangements of Schubert songs). I came to this disc fully expecting to enjoy the Mertz pieces and to be captivated by the Schubert ones, which include arranged selections from his lieder collections Schwanengesang and Winterreise, but the Mertz kept taking me by surprise - particularly the heart-stoppingly gorgeous Lied ohne Worte from his opus 13 Bardenklänge collection. Smits herself plays with subtle but astonishing virtuosity, not only of technique but of musicality - her use of rubato, of glissandi and of vibrato exquisitely tasteful throughout. Highly recommended to all libraries.
- Rick Anderson
"Raphaëlla Smits, recently acclaimed by Jean Bernard at Diapason as 'one of the most delicate and cultivated artists of our time', once again surprises with her multi-awarded, as honest as dewy, meticulously 'exact' but always extremely personal rendition of two great composers. The Biedermeier atmosphere of Vienna, the glorious capital of Austria-Hungary, a time when new forms of entertainment seized their chance, comes to life in the work of composers who were very fond of the guitar instrument. For years Franz Schubert, who did not own a piano, composed most of his compositions on the guitar that hung above his bed and on which he played before getting up. In addition to his own original music, Johann Kaspar also arranged music by other composers and popular folk or folkloristic motifs. Raphaëlla Smits descends into the depths of both oeuvres; her particularly beautifully breathing dynamism and sense of unexpectedly bright detail guarantees a listening adventure full of surprises".
- Bart Stouten, Radio Klara, BE.
“Raphaella Smits has not made any concessions in this recording. With her inquiring mind, she has immersed herself in the spirit of the age and unveiled the guitar technical craft of the time. All works here are performed on an eight-string guitar, strung with gut strings.
Mertzian virtuosity is self-evident and is not an end in itself. With her playing she immerses the listener in the musical world of emotions of the first half of the nineteenth century. Raphaella Smits plays technically perfectly and with a flawless sense of the right style. This recording can be considered a benchmark for future performances of the works of Johann Kaspar Mertz.”
- Hein Sanderink, NL
“Raphaella Smits has long been one of my favorite guitarists, with the perfect blend of style, virtuosity, and musicianship. Her inspired interpretations always captivate the listener, unfolding like the pages of a great novel that keep you clinging to every word.”
- Frank Koonce, USA
“Raphaella Smits is devoted to the music of the 19th century with enthusiasm and clairvoyance. Beyond the theoretical speeches, one understands so well with her how much the old manufacture completely influences the technical approach, the color of tone, and therefore the esthetics of this repertoire. Fascinating!”
- Danielle Ribouillault, FR
“Raphaella Smits is a master at evoking moods and carries the listeners into a musical dimension whose beauty, genius and perfection border on the miraculous. Raphaella Smits is particularly fascinated by the intensity of her playing, which is permeated by an aura of perfection that only the great guitar soloists can achieve.”
- Bianca Flier, DE
“The music itself is second to none: Mertz was a stunning composer, one of the few to carry the Romantic flag fully when writing his works. If somehow you have missed his music, Smits’ discs would be a good place to start.”
- C.D.