MENDELSSOHN / HUMPERDINCK / CORN German Romantic Christmas (CD) (US IMPORT)

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Titel: German Romantic Christmas
Zustand: Neu
Format: CD
EAN: 0812864018400
Genre: Oper und klassische Vokalmusik
Description: EDITORIAL REVIEWS From dark to light this could be an alternative title for this audio journey through the Christmas festival. Hansjorg Albrecht has put together famous Christmas choruses and songs from the German Romantic period to create a musical Christmas story which starts with the annunciation of Jesus; birth and continues via the crib scene to finish with the jubilant chorus Frohlocket ihr Volker auf Erden (Rejoice Ye People on Earth). The moods and colours of the programme are as varied as the ensembles heard here. The core ensemble is the Munich Bach Choir directed by Hansjorg Albrecht, reinforced by first-class soloists and musicians such as Michael Volle, currently one of the leading concert and opera singers, and Babette Haag, an internationally renowned drummer. Three of the interpreters are drawn from the ranks of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra: Hans Läubin (brass ensemble), permanent guest principal trumpeter, Stefan Schilli, principal oboist, and Florian Sonnleitner, leader. A Christmas CD which is extraordinary in every respect, which draws together traditional repertoire in a dramaturgically coherent sequence to create a Christmas concert. REVIEW Described by conductor Hansjörg Albrecht as a "Christmas Fantasia", this program (which he conceived and compiled) is thoughtfully organized not only to present the various parts of the Christmas story but also, by means of 20 carefully selected musical works, to honor and celebrate and recall the traditions of an earlier time--the 19th and early 20th centuries in the small villages in Germany--when Christmas knew nothing of "Jingle Bells" and non-stop shopping but rather was steeped in singing and family, church bells, Christmas treats, preparing for the arrival of Christ, the glow of candles, and the warmth of fires in the hearth. In other words, this is a program that truly glories in the promise of its title: German Romantic Christmas. So we hear this marvelous German choir, the Munich Bach Choir, along with a very fine organist, Peter Kofler, and members of the brass section of the Bavarian Radio Symphony supplemented by another Munich group, the BRassensemble München, performing works by Wolf and Reger and Brahms, Rheinberger, Humperdinck, Karg-Elert, and Richard Strauss. Albrecht also designed the program to take full advantage not only of the singers but of the superb organ--a "jewel of late-Romantic organ construction" known as the Odeon Organ--and the stunning acoustics of the cupola of Munich's St. Rupert Church, where the brass also shine with particularly brilliant resonance. And speaking of acoustics, this is the sort of space that you can "feel", even through your home speakers; and yet it's not of such size and configuration that it obscures or interferes with the ensemble sound of singers and instruments. The extended reverberation (9 seconds!) is agreeable and impressive and the engineers really allow us inside of it so that we do feel that we're there. Much of this music will be unfamiliar to North American listeners--and some will be very familiar, but with English words rather than the German sung here. It's nice to hear Hark! The herald angels sing as "Hört! Die Engel singen"--and with the Willcocks descant, no less!; or Cornelius' Three Kings sung as "Drei Kön'ge wandern aus Morgenland". We also are treated to Karl Hoyer's organ tour de force (joined by brass and timpani) that opens the disc, Christi Geburt, followed by a perfectly executed a cappella piece by 19th-century composer Albert Becker and a beautifully atmospheric setting of Maria durch ein Dornwald ging (by Becker's grandson, 20th-century composer Günter Raphael), whose sound is eerily enhanced by the acoustic. Richard Strauss' Feierlicher Einzug (otherwise known as Solemn Entrance of the Knights of St. John) is another work whose scoring, for large brass ensemble, suits the space to rousing effect--another excellent programming choice. In fact, there's not a dull moment nor ill-chosen selection on the program, and the musicianship is first rate by all concerned (the two vocal soloists in Humperdinck's "Evening Prayer" from Hansel and Gretel are notable examples of how everyone involved is focused and assured in technique and interpretation). My only disappointment is that there are no translations provided for the sung German texts; instead we get brief bios of the composers, which is at least useful in understanding the origin of the less familiar works. Nevertheless, the music and performances speak for themselves, and this definitely is one of the year's best new Christmas recordings. Highly recommended. -- ClassicsToday.com, David Vernier, December 2009 Many of our most beloved traditions (Christmas trees, for starters) come from the German-speaking countries, and "Frohlocket ihr Voelker auf Erden: Deutsche romantische Weihnacht (Rejoice, Ye People on Earth: German Romantic Christmas)" offers an almost 80-minute tour of beautifully performed, nicely varied Germanic lushness (Muenchener Bach-Chor; Hansjoerg Albrecht, conductor; Oehms Classics). The composers include Max Reger, Hugo Wolf, Johannes Brahms, Felix Mendelssohn and Max Bruch, among others. Choral works are sung by the Munich Bach Choir, and a big fanfare by Richard Strauss features members of the Bavarian Radio Orchestra. Especially notable are Reger's setting of the familiar "In dulci jubilo" and a honey-toned baritone, Michael Volle, taking the solo part in Peter Cornelius' "The Three Kings." The disc concludes with a sweet rendition of "Silent Night" followed by an all-the-stops more-is-better finish. oehmsclassics.de -- StlToday.com, Sarah Bryan Miller, December 13, 2009
Anzahl der Scheiben: 1
Interpret: MENDELSSOHN / HUMPERDINCK / CORN
Musiklabel: Oehms Classics
Title Format: CD

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