Johannes Held & Doriana Tchakarova

Brief information

“Who rides so late through night and wind?/Wer reitet so spät durch Nacht und Wind?” like almost no other ballad Goethe’s “Der Erlkönig”, with its famous opening line, has become etched into the cultural memory of generations – even to this day. The new album “Erlkönig” by baritone Johannes Held and lieder pianist Doriana Tchakarova pays tribute to this iconic text in an extraordinary way. Following intensive international research, the two established lieder specialists, driven by a deep passion for the art song, present a selection of 13 musical versions – ranging from the earliest composition by Corona Schröter, through Franz Schubert’s famous version, to a contemporary approach.

The album thus brings together works from the Classical, Romantic and Modern periods, including rarely performed repertoire, including a world premiere, and impressively demonstrates how differently the same text has been interpreted musically over the centuries. The result is an exciting, multifaceted listening experience that surprises, captivates and opens up new perspectives on Goethe’s masterpiece (release date 8 May 2026, label écoutez records).

The release concert will take place on 22 April 2026 at the Pianosalon Christophori in Berlin.