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World music CD DVD shop and Classic distribution
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ID: KAI0012712
CDs: 1
Type: CD
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Collection: Vocal Collection
Subcollection: Voices and Chamber Ensemble
...finally exploding in a sea of profundity from which the first words rise. Just like Baudelaire, Luca Francesconi appears to be crying out in the apparent stasis in the middle of the work: “The beautiful life! The beautiful life!” Then everything is reversed in a mirror process, with the energy being reborn of its own antimatter, or perhaps of its memory.
Includes booklet with texts by Colin Roche and Robert Coheur |
| 21.00 eur Buy |
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ID: KAI0012912
CDs: 1
Type: CD
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Collection: Opera Collection
It's stretching the conventional, technical definition of the term to call Swiss composer Michael Jarrell's spoken monodrama "Cassandre" an opera, but that's the composer's description of it, and as such, it ought to be respected. It does consist of a musical narrative accompanying a verbal narrative, so even though it doesn't involve singing, it comes closer to standard opera than some pieces that are so designated. Also, the fact that it is so compelling as a unified musical and dramatic entity makes its definition seem less consequential; it's fully successful in using music and story to draw the listener into the protagonist's world. "Cassandre" has received numerous international performances since its 1994 premiere and has been translated into a variety of languages. In its form, popularity, subject matter (the protagonist's reflection on the trauma of war), emotional impact, and to some extent its musical style, it strongly resembles Marc Neikrug's haunting 1980 "music-drama" "Through Roses."
"Cassandre" is based on a text by Christa Wolf that actress Astrid Bas delivers with urgency and poignant dramatic restraint. Jarrell's score for chamber ensemble is notable for the evocative subtlety of its depiction of the Trojan prophet's state of mind as she recounts the horrors of the war. Jarrell avoids the obvious -- the big rhetorical gestures -- that would seem to be appropriate for such a dramatic and grim story, and instead creates a soundworld of gossamer, dream-like ethereality to underscore "Cassandre"'s intimate musings. His orchestration is incandescent, and the music is simply beautiful in its prismatically evolving textures. For a piece that rarely rises above a whisper, it makes a surprisingly visceral impact. IRCAM's Ensemble InterContemporain, led by Susanna Mälkki, plays the challenging score with exceptional grace and delicacy. Kairos' sound is immaculate, as is typical for its releases. Highly recommended for fans of new music.
Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide |
| 21.00 eur Buy |
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ID: NMCD115
CDs: 1
Type: CD
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Subcollection: Violin
Stuart MacRae's Violin Concerto, commissioned for the 2001 BBC Proms, is performed here by soloist Christian Tetzlaff with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under its chief conductor Ilan Volkov; it is coupled with Stirling Choruses, written for the brass section of the BBC SSO, which portrays the “dark and foreboding” Stirling Castle.
These are works are joined by Motus, a processional for 6 instruments; and Two Scenes from the Death of Count Ugolino, for voice and instrumental ensemble - based on a gruesome section of Dante’s Inferno, and featuring mezzo-soprano Loré Lixenberg.
1-4 - Christian Tetzlaff violin/ BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/ Ilan Volkov conductor
5-6 - Loré Lixenberg mezzo-soprano/ BCMG/ Susanna Mälkki conductor
7 - BCMG/ Susanna Mälkki conductor
8 - BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/ Ilan Volkov conductor |
| 22.00 eur Buy |
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ID: RCO11001
CDs: 2
Type: SACD
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Subcollection: Violin
This fourth release in the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra’s ‘Horizon’ Series brings together two forms of homage. CD 1 represents a tribute to Gustav Mahler, the orchestra having devoted itself to a large-scale project commemorating the composer’s 150th birthday and the 100th anniversary of his death during its 2009- 2011 seasons. In addition to a chronological series of performances of all the great symphonies - effectively constituting the third Mahler Festival held in Amsterdam following those of 1925 and 1995, the orchestra programmed a series of concerts featuring works exhibiting a strong connection to Mahler’s compositions. Four world premieres of works composed for this series have been brought together on CD 1, the fifth being the opening title on CD 2.
The three other recordings on CD 2 feature members of the orchestra playing high-profile roles as solo or ensemble players, thereby symbolising a hommage to the virtuosity and the musical intelligence and flexibility of the 120 individual musicians making up the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Oboist Alexei Ogrintchouk and trombonist Jörgen van Rijen are heard here in the world premieres of two works written for their instruments by Rodion Shchedrin and Luciano Berio respectively. Assistant principal violinist Marijn Mijnders and Monica Naselow, a member of the second violin section, team up in an explosive performance of Hindson’s 'Chrissietina’s Magic Fantasy' for two violins, the discovery of the chamber music marathon with which the Society of Friends of the Concertgebouw and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2009. |
| 28.00 eur Buy |
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