Schoenberg: Gurre-Lieder Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra & Edward Gardner

• Arnold Schoenberg (1874 - 1951): Gurre-Lieder, Pt. 1:
• 1 Orchestral Prelude 06:10
• 2 Nun dämpft die Dämm'rung jeden Ton 03:38
• 3 O, wenn des Mondes Strahlen leise gleiten 02:50
• 4 Ross! Mein Ross! Was schleichst du so träg! 02:51
• 5 Sterne jubeln, das Meer, es leuchtet 02:09
• 6 So tanzen die Engel vor Gottes Thron nicht 02:06
• 7 Nun sag' ich dir zum ersten Mal 03:38
• 8 Es ist Mitternachtzeit 05:57
• 9 Du sendest mir einen Liebesblick 05:20
• 10 Du wunderliche Tove! 04:01
• 11 Orchestral Interlude 05:38
• 12 Tauben von Gurre! Sorge quält mich 04:38
• 13 Den Sarg sah ich auf Königs Schultern 07:04
• Gurre-Lieder, Pt. 2:
• 14 Herrgott, weisst du, was du tatest 04:23
• Gurre-Lieder, Pt. 3:
• 15 Erwacht, König Waldemars Mannen wert! 02:36
• 16 Deckel des Sarges klappert 03:14
• 17 Gegrüsst, o König 03:39
• 18 Langsam 01:37
• 19 Mit Toves Stimme flüstert der Wald 03:18
• 20 Ein seltsamer Vogel ist so'n Aal 06:42
• 21 Du strenger Richter droben 02:29
• 22 Der Hahn erhebt den Kopf zur Kraht 05:43
• 23 Des Sommerwindes wilde Jagd. Orchestral Prelude 02:37
• 24 Herr Gänsefuss, Frau Gänsekraut 01:57
• 25 Still! Was mag der Wind nur wollen? 03:19
• 26 Seht die Sonne 04:56
• Total Runtime 01:42:30

Info for Schoenberg: Gurre-Lieder

Recorded live in the sumptuous acoustic of Grieghallen in Bergen, this mind-blowing interpretation of Schoenberg’s Gurre-Lieder involves 350 performers: large choral forces, six exceptional soloists, and the legendary Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra – extended for the occasion – all conducted by Edward Gardner.

Marking the pinnacle of the Orchestra’s 250th anniversary celebrations, the same forces offered two evening concerts that met with unanimous acclaim in the press, including a five-star review from The Daily Telegraph praising the ‘sweep of Gardner's conducting, by turns luminous and incisive’. It added, ‘He unleashed the piece’s volcanic passions while never becoming mired in its high-calorific density, and somehow avoided drowning the singers’, and also congratulated the ‘heroic’ Stuart Skelton, ‘warm’ Alwyn Mellor, ‘ethereal’ Anna Larsson, and ‘powerful’ Thomas Allen.

“... Stuart Skelton’s Waldemar is superb and a triumph ... with such firm baritonal warmth, subtle colouring and vivid projection of text that Skelton’s could well be the finest account in terms of storytelling... Gardner’s concept sweeps all before it; a slow burn that gains such intensity that the final chorus is a satisfying blaze of light. The sound quality is glorious – miraculously so considering the constraints of live recording... “ (Warwick Arnold, limelightmagazine.com.au)

“... an enormously impressive achievement ... Gardner’s operatic experience means he’s alive to the lyricism and drama of the piece in equal measure: there’s ardent longing aplenty and a real willingness to explore the sheer gorgeousness of the score, as well as a powerful send of drama where required ...” (Hugo Shirley, Gramophone)

Alwyn Mellor, soprano
Anna Larsson, mezzo
Stuart Skelton, tenor
Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke, tenor
James Creswell, bass
Sir Thomas Allen, speaker
Bergen Philharmonic Choir
Choir of Collegiûm Mûsicûm
Edvard Grieg Kor
Orphei Drängar
Students from the Royal Northern College of Music & Håkon Matti Skrede
Musicians from the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Edward Gardner, conductor