Search - Georges Bizet, Richard [1] Strauss, Christopher Hogwood :: Music For The Theatre, Vol. 1

Music For The Theatre, Vol. 1
Georges Bizet, Richard [1] Strauss, Christopher Hogwood
Music For The Theatre, Vol. 1
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (18) - Disc #1

The L?Arlésienne suite recorded here is extracted from the original theater orchestration of Bizet that exists in his own autograph score in Paris. All numbers are in their original keys, but the sequence has been rev...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Georges Bizet, Richard [1] Strauss, Christopher Hogwood, Kammerorchester Basel
Title: Music For The Theatre, Vol. 1
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Label: Arte Nova Classics
Release Date: 4/12/2005
Genre: Classical
Style: Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 723721089856

Synopsis

Album Description
The L?Arlésienne suite recorded here is extracted from the original theater orchestration of Bizet that exists in his own autograph score in Paris. All numbers are in their original keys, but the sequence has been revised for this presentation. Richard Strauss is rarely described as a neoclassical composer, but for Moliére?s play he immersed himself in the style of the baroque, as well as studying the editions of Lully then available. The Kammerorchester Basel (KOB) is one of the leading chamber orchestras of Europe and is in international demand. The KOB is an orchestra without a permanent conductor. The musicians themselves create the unique artistic profile of the orchestra by participating in the selection of conductors, soloists and repertoire. Christopher Hogwood, pioneer of historical performance practice, is the KOB?s Principal Guest Conductor, and it was he who started the acclaimed recording project on Arte Nova a few years ago. Since founding the Academy of Ancient Music in 1973, Hogwood has gained international recognition for his performances of baroque and early classical repertoire with period instruments.
 

CD Reviews

Nicely done theatrical scores
Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 04/24/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)

"I owned Hogwood's older recording of the Bizet "L'Arleisienne" suite coupled with two French symphonies and performed by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. I bought this one because I liked the other one and was seeking a modern recording of the Strauss incidental music.



Hogwood is a bit more sensitive with the Bizet this time around, aided by marginally more refined playing by the Basel Chamber Orchestra. Together, they play an extended suite of the music that accomapanied a drama with more subtlety and sensitivity to the changing moods of the score than in Hogwood's first recording.



I enjoy this music more than the Strauss occasional music that is akin to film music and never approaches the profundity of any other Strass score. You won't find any of Strauss's philosophical pondering in this little suite, but you will find some delicacies hidden inside that are nicely done.



Hogwood and the Basel players do all they can with this music, recreating the environment that may have existed when the music accompanied a stage play. The final section of the Strauss suite, "The dinner", is the lengthiest section at 9:52.



The players do everything they can to breathe sensitivity and life in this theater music in what must be the first of at least two installments of similar music. Hogwood is his zestful self, attacking the music with gusto and joie de vive where called for. Only this time, he approaches with a gentler attack in the quieter, more pensive and introspective moments.



The sound on this 2004 recording is pretty good DDD. While there are shortcomings in this issue you don't pay much for them. At a list price of $6.98 you won't be out much even if you don't like anything herein."