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Album Summary
Performers
Igor Gruppman (Violin)- Dorothea Röschmann (Soprano)
Notes & Reviews:
In a very short time, Yannick Nézet-Séguin has become one of the most sought-after young conductors in the world, popular with orchestras and audiences alike. Recently named as Music Director Designate of the Philadelphia Orchestra, he succeeded Valery Gergiev as Music Director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra in 2008. He is also Chief Guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
On this the second of four projected discs for BIS, the Rotterdam Philharmonic here perform two of Richard Strauss' most popular works: The tone poem Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) has often been described as an autobiographical work. The six interwoven sections describe themes of hope, love and courage, with a scherzo that mocks the hero's enemies and a final climax that sees the hero withdraw from the world fulfilled.
The Four Last Songs were the last works that Strauss composed before his death in 1949, and throughout the works, the pervading mood is one of death and transience. The Rotterdam Orchestra are here joined by Dorothea Röschmann, who has built a reputation on the opera stage as one of the most admired present interpreters of Mozart and of lieder.
"This suave and efficient Strauss disc shows why Yannick Nézet-Séguin has rocketed to the first division of the conducting league." -The Times
"The gossamer textures of the Hero's 'War and Peace'...work best here, the bassoon stylishly leading the superb Rotterdam woodwind. The final retirement is gilded by a glorious horn solo...[Roschmann's] fast vibrato is offset by luminosity and soaring beauty...there's always understanding of the text, and the sunset epilogue, well accompanied by the orchestra, is moving." -BBC Music
"The multiple ironies of Heldenleben are superbly caught, though the emotional kernel of his interpretation lies in a sexy account of the central love scene and his touchingly beautiful treatment of the finale. The orchestral sound is lean and sinewy...[Röschmann's] voice lacks a little of its former lustre, though you can hear every word - and hear it given meaning." -The Guardian
Classic FM Magazine, October 2011
Dorothea Röschmann has a deliciously supple and textured soprano that finds glorious colours here.
Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2011
Nézet-Séguin's portrait of the "Hero's adversaries" is piquant rather than ironically adversarial...[Four Last Songs are] gloriously sung by Dorothea Roschmann, who has a truly lovely voice, and is most sensitively accompanied...Even among many illustrious names, there is no finer recorded performance.
Recording information: Doelen Hall, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (06/2010).
Reviews
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Strauss, Richard : Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40 - Performer: Igor Gruppman (Violin)
- Conductor: Yannick Nézet-Séguin
- Ensemble: Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
- Running Time: 46 min. 39 sec.
- Period Time: Post Romantic
- Form: Orchestral
- Written: 1897-1898
Strauss, Richard : Four Last Songs, AV 150 - Performer: Dorothea Röschmann (Soprano)
- Conductor: Yannick Nézet-Séguin
- Ensemble: Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
- Running Time: 21 min. 8 sec.
- Period Time: Post Romantic
- Form: Vocal
- Written: 1948
