Composer: Johannes Brahms
Performer: Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Genia Kühmeier, Thomas Hampson
Orchestra: Wiener Philharmoniker
Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: RCA
Release: 2010
Size: 1.14 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. I. Selig sind, die da Leid tragen (Ziemlich langsam)
02. II. Denn alles Fleisch, es ist wie Gras (Langsam, marschmäßig)
03. III. Herr, lehre doch mich, dass ein Ende mit mir haben muss (Andante moderato)
04. IV. Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen (Mäßig bewegt)
05. V. Ihr habt nun Traurigkeit (Langsam)
06. VI. Denn wir haben hier keine bleibende Statt (Andante)
07. VII. Selig sind die Toten, die in dem Herren sterben (Feierlich)
Something new is always to be expected whenever Nikolaus Harnoncourt turns his attention to an important piece of music. In recent years he has been giving audiences a fresh view on some of the masterpieces of Romantic and late-Romantic music. His account of Brahms’ German Requiem is based on a thorough study of the composer’s ideas on how it should be performed. His is a sensitive interpretation that takes a completely new approach to the work. Technically and artistically, the new disc is a perfect record of the concert given in Vienna in December 2007, which was greeted enthusiastically by music press and audiences alike.
A high-profile line-up comprises the Arnold Schoenberg Choir, whose connection with Harnoncourt goes back more than thirty years, and the Vienna Philharmonic, one of the world’s greatest orchestras. The two solo vocal parts are ideally cast with soprano Genia Kühmeier and internationally-renowned baritone Thomas Hampson.
In 2009 Harnoncourt was honoured with the much-deserved Gramophone Lifetime Achievement Award.