Iestyn Davies and Joseph Middleton release 'Die Schöne Müllerin'

We are delighted to announce the release of a new recording of Franz Schubert’s seminal cycle Die Schöne Müllerin, recorded by countertenor and former St John's chorister and choral scholar Iestyn Davies, together with pianist Joseph Middleton. The album has been released on our ‘St John’s Cambridge’ label with Signum Classics. The album is available to listen to here.

Adapting poetry by Wilhelm Müller, the genesis of D. 795 marks the beginning of the end of Schubert's life; he discovered that he had contracted syphilis sometime in late 1822 or early 1823, and it was in 1823 that he composed this tale of a poet-singer who dies in the aftermath of erotic experience.

The album booklet includes full texts and translations from Richard Stokes, and notes from prominent Lied expert Susan Youens.

Iestyn has recently discussed the release in a feature in this January’s Gramophone Magazine, as well as on a programme of ‘The Evening Autobiography’ on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. He will also appear as the special guest on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune on Thursday 27th January.

Die Schöne Müllerin is the second solo album on the ‘St John’s College’ label, following on from the release of Johnian violinist Julia Hwang’s Subito in 2017.

During sessions, Iestyn and Joseph performed an additional song - Schubert's 'Litanei' - which you can watch below.