Artist: Claudio Abbado
Title: Schumann: Scenes from Goethe's Faust
Year Of Release: 1995
Label: Sony Classical
Genre: Classical
Quality: FLAC (image+.cue,log,scans)
Total Time: 01:54:55
Total Size: 520 Mb
Tracklist:CD 1:
01. Overture [0:08:07.62]
02. Part One - No.1 - Szene im Garten [0:05:06.48]
03. Part One - No.2 - Gretchen von der Bild der Mater Dolorosa [0:04:14.37]
04. Part One - No.3 - Szene im Dom [0:07:08.28]
05. Part Two - No.4 - Ariel. Sonnenaufgang - "Die ihr dies Haupt umschwebt im luft'gen Kreise" [0:06:40.65]
06. Part Two - No.4 - Ariel. Sonnenaufgang - "Täler grünen, Hügel schwellen" [0:03:46.07]
07. Part Two - No.4 - Ariel. Sonnenaufgang - "Des Lebens Pulse schlagen frisch lebendig" [0:03:48.68]
08. Part Two - No.4 - Ariel. Sonnenaufgang - "So ist es also, wenn ein sehnend Hoffen" [0:04:01.17]
09. Part Two - No.5 - Mitternacht - "Ich heisse der Mangel" [0:02:12.58]
10. Part Two - No.5 - Mitternacht - "Vier sah ich kommen, drei nur gehn" [0:08:01.40]
11. Part Two - No.5 - Mitternacht - "Die Nacht schein tiefer tief hereinzudringen" [0:02:51.52]
12. Part Two - No.6 - Fausts Tod [0:14:48.15]
CD 2:
01. Part 3, No. 7 Faust's Transfiguration- 1. Waldung, sie schwankt heran [0:03:06.12]
02. Part 3, No. 7 Faust's Transfiguration- 2. Ewiger Wonnebrand [0:02:09.00]
03. Part 3, No. 7 Faust's Transfiguration- 3. Wie Felsenabgrund mir zu Füßen [0:02:58.70]
04. Part 3, No. 7 Faust's Transfiguration- 3. Welch ein Morgenwölkchen schwebet [0:02:57.15]
05. Part 3, No. 7 Faust's Transfiguration- 4. Gerettet ist das edle Glied [0:07:00.55]
06. Part 3, No. 7 Faust's Transfiguration- 4. Gerettet ist das edle Glied [0:03:44.60]
07. Part 3, No. 7 Faust's Transfiguration- 5. Hier ist die Aussicht frei [0:04:57.55]
08. Part 3, No. 7 Faust's Transfiguration- 6. Dir, der Unberührbaren [0:08:24.55]
09. Part 3, No. 7 Faust's Transfiguration- 7. Alles Vergängliche ist nur ein Gleichnis [0:08:59.60]
Performers:Bryn Terfel - bass
Karita Mattila - soprano
Jan-Hendrik Rootering - bass
Barbara Bonney - soprano
Endrik Wottrich - tenor
Iris Vermillion - contralto
Brigitte Poschner-Klebel - soprano
Susan Graham - mezzo-soprano
Hans-Peter Blochwitz - tenor
Harry Peeters - bass
Tölzer Knabenchor
Swedish Radio Chorus
Berliner Philharmoniker
Claudio Abbado - conductor
Schumann's treatment of Goethe is a curiously uneven work, composed at various stages in the last decade of his life. Parts 1 and 2 consist of dramatic scenes, which lie somewhere between opera and oratorio, rather as in Berlioz's Damnation of Faust; but Schumann's third part takes the music on to an altogether higher plane, setting the mystical final scene from Goethe's poem (the same text Mahler used in his Eighth Symphony). Recordings and performances of the complete work are rare, partly because of its length (nearly two hours) and the need for multiple soloists (ten in this performance); so this exceptionally fine new Sony set, recorded 'live' at Berlin concerts last year, is very welcome indeed. Bryn Terfel is an ideally ardent, troubled Faust, and sings a large amount of music with consummate authority. Mattila makes us feel for Gretchen, and the ensemble numbers are led by Barbara Bonney's silvery high soprano. The choral singing (Swedish choirs prepared by the legendary Eric Ericson) is simply outstanding, as are the Tölz Boys Choir's lusty contributions. Most importantly of all, Claudio Abbado conducts with flair and also with great sensitivity, and the members of the orchestra respond as if they believe in every note. If this set doesn't win an award, there's no justice in the world.
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