Composer: Gregory Rose
Performer: Henry Tisma, Rainer Vilu, Raul Mikson, Olari Viikholm, Kristine Muldma, Andreas Väljamäe, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Conductor: Gregory Rose
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Toccata
Catalogue: TOCC0284
Release: 2015
Size: 241 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Danse macabre
01. I. Dance 1: Processional
02. II. Requiem aeternam (Chorus)
03. III. Song 1 (The Preacher from the Pulpit)
04. IV. Death Song I: Death to all – Kyrie eleison (Chorus)
05. V. Dance 2
06. VI. Death Song 2: Death to the Pope
07. VII. Song 2 (The Pope)
08. VIII. Tract: Absolve Domine (Chorus)
09. IX. Death Song 3: Death answers the Pope
10. X. Dance 3
11. XI. Sequence: Dies irae (Chorus)
12. XII. Song 3 (The Emperor)
13. XIII. Offertory: Domine, Jesu Christe (Chorus)
14. XIV. Death Song 4: Death to the Emperor
15. XV. Dance 4
16. XVI. Song 4 (The Empress)
17. XVII. Sanctus (Chorus)
18. XVIII. Death Song 5: Death to the Empress
19. XIX. Dance 5
20. XX. Song 5 (The Cardinal)
21. XXI. Death Song 6: Death to the Cardinal
22. XXII. Song 6 (The King)
23. XXIII. Communion: Lux aeterna (Chorus)
24. XXIV. Death Song 7: Death to the King and All
25. XXV. Dance 6
26. XXVI. In Paradisum (Chorus)
27. XXVII. Dance 7: Recessional
28. XXVIII. Pie Jesu (Chorus)
The Danse macabre – the idea that Death comes for everyone regardless of status or importance – has fascinated musicians for centuries.
In 2011, inspired by a vast sixteenth-century painting by Bernt Notke in the Niguliste kirik (St Nicholas Church) in Tallinn, the English composer Gregory Rose (b. 1948) set the mediaeval German texts which sit below each panel, turning Notke’s terrifying vision into a bleak but grimly humorous ritual.
This recording features the world-renowned Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. It was recorded in the very church that houses Notke’s paintings and is conducted by the composer.
Gregory Rose – professor of conducting at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London – has worked with orchestras, ensembles and choirs throughout Europe and the Far East, particularly in Romantic and contemporary repertoire, and has conducted hundreds of premieres.
The orchestras with which he has worked include the Finnish Radio Symphony, St Petersburg Symphony, London Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestras of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Eire, the BBC Concert Orchestra, and his own Jupiter Orchestra and Singers, Singcircle and CoMA London Ensemble. As arranger/conductor he has worked with Diana Ross, Linda Ronstadt and Madness.