Sir Simon Rattle www.askonasholt.co.uk/artists/conductors/simon-rattl
makes
his debut recording on LSO Live http://lsolive.lso.co.uk
with
a performance of Schumann’s rarely recorded Das
Paradies und die Peri. Rattle will of course be joining the LSO as their
new Music Director in September 2017.
Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra http://lso.co.uk are joined on this new release by the London
Symphony Chorus www.lsc.org.uk , soloists
from the Guildhall School www.gsmd.ac.uk , sopranos
Sally Matthews www.sallymatthews.com
and Kate Royal www.askonasholt.co.uk/artists/singers/soprano/kate-royal
, alto Bernarda Fink www.machreich-artists.com/kuenstlerinnen_biografie.php?id=86
, tenors Mark Padmore www.markpadmore.com
and Andrew Staples www.ajrstaples.com ;
and bass Florian Boesch www.machreich-artists.com/kuenstlerinnen_biografie.php?id=114
 |
| 2 SACD - 1BDA LSO 0782 |
LSO Live have done Sir Simon proud with this new set, not
only on SACD Hybrid (2.0 stereo + 5.1 surround mixes and Standard CD audio) but
with a companion disc that provides Pure Audio Blu-ray (5.1 DTS-HD MA - 24bit
192kHz, 2.0 LPCM - 24bit 192kHz) and downloadable audio files (stereo DSD,
FLAC, WAV & MP3).
There is also a video trailer about this new recording that
can be watched at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH3toYv5kzI&feature=youtu.be
Robert Schumann’s (1810-1856)
oratorio for soloists, chorus, and orchestra Das Paradies und die Peri, Op. 50 was completed in 1843. The work
is based on a German translation of a story from the verse epic Lalla-Rookh by the Irish poet, Thomas
Moore. The Peri, a creature from Persian mythology and the focus of the story, has
been expelled from Paradise and trying to regain entrance by giving the gift
that is most dear to heaven. Eventually the Peri is admitted after bringing a
tear from the cheek of a repentant old sinner who has seen a child praying.
In its time it was regarded as a significant achievement for
the composer, receiving praise from Richard Wagner.
In three parts, Part 1
of Das Paradies und die Peri opens
with Vor Edens Tor im Morgenprangen
with a lovely gentle orchestral theme that immediately draws the listener in. When
alto Bernarda Fink joins to sing ‘One morn a Peri at the gate of Eden stood...’
she proves a fine choice of soloist for this part, beautifully following every
turn. Soprano Sally Matthews as the Peri joins for Wie glücklich sie wandeln (How
happy are the holy spirits who wander there) and proves to be equally
flexible.
The Recitativ - Der
hehre Engel, der die Pforte brings tenor Mark Padmore as the Narrator in
‘The glorious Angel, who was keeping the gates of light…against a beautifully
controlled orchestral accompaniment. He is very fine, equally controlled with
beautiful dynamics. Bernarda Fink continues as the Angel with a lovely,
characterful rich tone. Wo find ich sie?
brings the return of Sally Matthews with some finely felt moments in ‘ Where
was there ever a gem that shone like the steps of Alla’s wonderful Throne?’
bringing some fine singing, beautifully shaped.
Narrator, Mark Padmore brings a fine agile blend in So sann sie nach (While thus she mus’d her pinions fann’d…) with a fine vocal
quartet of soloists. The LSO chorus enter with great gusto in Doch seine Ströme sind jetzt rot (But crimson now her rivers ran) giving
a superb contribution, rising brilliantly in the dynamic passages, Rattle
bringing a fine dramatic outpouring.
The LSO brass lead into Und
einsam steht ein Jüngling noch… (Behold, a youthful warrior stands alone)
before Mark Padmore enters. The chorus rise up before a dramatic strong voiced Florian
Boesch as Gazna enters followed by tenor, Andrew Staples, who adds a fine
contribution as the Young Man.
The chorus are again very fine in the flowing Weh, weh, er fehlte das Ziel (False flew the
shaft. Ah sad to tell) with their little outbursts beautifully done, the orchestra
and chorus providing a lovely blend. A
gentle hesitant orchestral opening precedes the Narrator Padmore in a sensitive
finely controlled Die Peri sah das Mal
der Wunde (Yet mark’d the Peri where
he lay). The Peri, Sally Matthews enters with her finely coloured voice, soon
joined by the vocal quartet, as well as the chorus. Rattle balances his vocal
forces and orchestra to perfection here. Schumann brings some fine fugal
writing in the later stages, almost Mendelssohnian in character (think Elijah),
before a rousing choral conclusion pointed up with timpani.
There is another attractive orchestral opening to Part 2 before the entry of Mark Padmore who brings a depth of feeling to
Die Peri tritt mit schüchterner Gebärde
(With timid steps the Peri then…approached
the pearly gates of Eden). The Angel responds ‘Sweet is our welcome of the
Brave…’ the female voices as the chorus of angels bringing a beautifully sound.
The Narrator returns for Ihr erstes
Himmelshoffen schwand ‘Ihr erstes’ (Her
first fond hope of Eden blighted) with some lovely delicate orchestral
passages and some light textured string passages as the chorus lead on as the
Chorus of Nile Spirits. The Peri appears for ‘Ach Eden…’ (O Eden, how I yearn for thee.) There is some great choral singing
here, refined and controlled.
The Narrator returns in the slower rather considered ‘Fort streift von hier das Kind der Lüfte’
(Thence over Egypt’s palmy groves.) with
some exquisite orchestral textures. The Peri responds with ‘Für euren ersten Fall wie hart.’ (Poor race of men! dearly ye pay.) We are led into a lighter,
gloriously orchestrated section where the Narrator and vocal quartet sing of ‘Die Peri weint’ (She wept).
Alto Bernarda Fink returns for the solo Im Waldesgrün am stillen See
(Beneath that fresh and springing bower)
bringing some fine varied tones before Andrew Staples as the Young Man brings a
lovely, gentle ‘Ach, einen Tropfen nur aus
dern See’ (Ah, a single droplet from the lake). Bernarda Fink continues in
a beautifully drawn, flowing Verlassener
Jüngling (Deserted youth!) beautifully
supported by the LSO with lovely cello lines and lovely woodwind passages,
rising buoyantly as the Narrator sings ‘Doch
sieh – wer naht dort leise schleichend.’ (But see – who yonder comes by
srealth)’
Soprano Kate Royal proves very fine as the Maiden in O lass mich von der Luft durchdringen’ (Oh! Let me only breathe the air.) fluent
and of beautiful tone. The Narrator sings ‘Sie
wankt – sie sinkt – und wie ein Licht’ (She fails, she sinks – as dies the
lamp) subtly bringing a depth of feeling, particularly as the conclusion is
reached. The orchestra leads beautifully and gently into the final section of
Part 2 with Sally Matthews as the Peri bringing a very fine ‘Schlaf nun und ruhe in Träumen voll Duft
‘ (Sleep on, in visions of odour rest) with
the LSO chorus bringing a most beautiful
conclusion to Part II.
Disc 2 contains Part
3 of Das Paradies und die Peri
that opens with a very light buoyant chorus for the female voices of the LSO
chorus as they sing ‘Schmücket die Stufen
zu Allahs Thron’ (Bedeck the steps to Alla’s throne). The Guildhall School
Quartet add ‘Auch der Geliebten vergesset
nicht’ (Do not forget the lovers’ plight), lightly pointed up by percussion.
The two solo sopranos rise out of the ensemble before a little cello phrase
leads into Dem Sang von ferne lauschend,
schwingt (Hearkening to the distant song)
Mark Padmore as the Narrator very finely shaping the text before the Angel
responds with ‘Noch nicht!’ (Not yet!).
The orchestra leads into a particularly fine section where Sally
Matthews as the Peri brings a heartfelt Verstossen!
Verschlossen aufs neu das Goldportal! (Cast
out! From the golden gate) a terrific moment, beautifully sung, speeding as
she declares ‘Doch will ich nicht ruhn,
will ohne Rast’ (Yet I will never rest, nor cease). There is a very fine
bass solo from Florian Boesch ‘Jetzt sank
des Abends goldner Schein’ (Now, upon Syria’s land of roses) bringing a
firm, fluent rich flow beautifully followed by the LSO with Rattle finding just
the right gentle tempo.
The narrator returns for Und
wie sie niederwärts sich schwingt (And
as she downward wings her way) along with the Guildhall School Quartet, Mark
Padmore later bringing some finely, controlled and shaped phrases. Hinab zu jenem Sonnentempel! (Downward to that temple of the sun!) has
a fine rhythmic pulse with some imaginative orchestral ideas as the Peri takes
the music ahead full of determination. The Narrator lightens the flow of the
music before alto Bernarda Fink enters continuing the flow. Florian Boesch as the Man brings a hushed slow
‘S war eine Zeit’ (There was a time).
Vocal quartet and chorus bring a gentle O heil’ge Tränen inn’ger Reue!’ (Blest tears of soul-felt penitence!),
a beautiful blend of voices with each individual soloist appearing through the
texture. A horn quietly opens the penultimate section with a dark hued orchestral
accompaniment, the strings having an almost period feel with little vibrato.
The Peri enters with Es fällt ein Tropfen
alfs Land’ (There’s a drop that down the
moon…) a most beautiful passage. The Narrator brings a real strength to ‘Und sieh, demütig betend kniet’ (And now –
behold him kneeling there) with a lovely fine use of the chorus around the
soloist. Finally the music takes off with Sally Martthews as the Peri bringing
a bright, glowing Freud’, ew’ge Freude,
mein Werk ist getan’ (Joy, joy for
ever! My task is done) with the Chorus of the Blessed Spirits adding just
the right subtly hushed accompaniment before rising to a glorious, vibrant
conclusion.
Expectations will be high when Sir Simon Rattle rakes over
the reins of the London Symphony Orchestra in 2017. This tremendous new release
only heightens those expectations.
LSO Live achieve a first rate recording from the notoriously
difficult acoustic of the Barbican, London. Applause is excised. There are excellent
booklet notes from Stephen Johnson as well as full German texts and English
translations.
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