Composer: Arnold Schoenberg
Performer: Stig Andersen, Andreas Conrad, Soile Isokoski, Monica Groop, Ralf Lukas, Barbara Sukowa, Philharmonia Voices, City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra
Conductor: Esa-Pekka Salonen
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Signum
Catalogue: SIGCD173
Release: 2009
Size: 959 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Gurrelieder
CD 01
01. Orchestral Prelude
02. Nun dampft die Dammerung jeden Ton
03. O, wenn des Mondes Strahlen leise gleiten
04. Ross! Mein Ross! Was schleichst de so trag
05. Stern jubeln, das Meer es leuchtet
06. So tanzen die Engel vor Gottes Thron nicht
07. Nun sag’ich dir zum ersten Mal
08. Es ist Mitternachts Zeit
09. Du sendest mir einen Liebesblick
10. Du wunderliche Tove!
11. Orchestral Prelude
12. Tauben von Gurre! Sorge qualt mich
CD 02
01. Herrgott, weisst du, was du tatest
02. Erwacht, Konig Waldemars Mannen wert!
03. Deckel des Sarges klappert und klappt
04. Gegrusst, O Konig, an Gurres See Strand
05. Mit Toves Stimme flustert der Wald
06. Ein seltsamer Vogel ist so ‘n Aal
07. Du strenger Richter droben
08. Der Hahn erhebt den zur Kraht
09. Herr Gansefuss, Frau Gansekraut
10. Seht, die Sonne
Recorded as part of the orchestra’s ongoing ‘Vienna – City of Dreams’ concert programme, the latest release in Signum Records’ ongoing series with the Philharmonia Orchestra is Schoenberg’s choral and symphonic masterpiece Gurrelieder, performed live with Philharmonia Voices, City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus and other star soloists, led by Esa-Pekka Salonen. September 21st is the release date for this SACD/CD hybrid recording which is a double disc release in surround sound and stereo. A few weeks later, ‘City of Dreams’ comes to an end when Salonen conducts Berg’s opera Wozzeck, also at the Royal Festival Hall. Epic, opulent and often challenging, Gurrelieder made a decisive opening statement for ‘Vienna: City of Dreams’. Written between 1901 and 1911 it progresses from swooning post-Tristan Romanticism to stark, violent Expressionism, and even introduces Schoenberg’s revolutionary Sprechgesang. As The Independent said in its review: “In a little under two hours, the 19th century ended and the 20th began … should City of Dreams continue in this fashion, it will be unmissable.” Future plans for Philharmonia/Signum releases conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen include: Mahler’s 6th and 9th symphonies, Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, Stravinsky’s Firebird and Janácek’s Sinfonietta.