Composer: Peter Cornelius
Performer: Polyphony
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Hyperion
Catalogue: CDA67206
Release: 2000
Size: 248 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Requiem “Seele, vergiss sie nicht”
02. Die Vätergruft, Op. 19
3 Chorgesänge, Op. 11
03. I. Der Tod, das ist die kühle Nacht
04. II. An den Sturmwind
05. III. Die drei Frühlingstage
Weihnachtslieder, Op. 8
06. III. Die Könige (Arr. Layton)
Liebe, Op. 18
07. I. Liebe, dir ergeb’ ich mich!
08. II. Ich will dich lieben, meine Krone!
09. III. Thron der Liebe, Stern der Güte
3 Männerchöre, Op. 12
10. I. Der alte Soldat
3 Psalmlieder, Op. 13
11. I. Bußlied
12. II. An Babels Wasserflüssen
13. III. Jerusalem
14. So weich und warn
Trauerchöre, Op. 9
15. I. Ach, wie nichtig, ach, wie flüchtig
16. II. Nicht die Träne kann es sagen
17. III. Mitten wir im Leben sind
18. IV. Grablied
19. V. Von dem Dome, schwer und bang
20. Trost in Tränen, Op. 14
Peter Cornelius was born to actor parents and destined from early life to have a career centred on words and music. He had early contact with the stage and dramatic literature, and like others of the time (such as Schumann), Cornelius immersed himself in German literature at an early age. At the same time he developed an interest in music. After early influences from Beethoven and Schubert, and studies of form and the composition of sacred music in Berlin, Cornelius’s musical style matured under the tutelage of Liszt in Weimar. On their first meeting Liszt encouraged Cornelius to compose sacred music, however Cornelius then turned to the composition of opera and song whilst developing his natural gift in poetry. Choral works, however, remained an important part of Cornelius’s compositionsmany with sacred texts. Mention the name Cornelius to most music lovers and their immediate reaction will be ‘Isn’t he the man who wrote the song heard at ChristmasThree Kings?’ Indeed he is and this piece can be heard on track 6 (Drei Knige). However, this disc also explores the other wonderful choral music written by Cornelius. All of these pieces deserve to be heard more!