Young Karajan: First Recordings 9

On this CD:

1. Ein deutsches Requiem (German Requiem), for soprano, baritone, chorus & orchestra, Op. 45
Composed by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Hans Hotter, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This is Brahms's first great choral work, inspired by his mother's death in 1865. Instead of the customary liturgical text, the composer selected Biblical passages he loved expressing both human fear and acceptance of mortality and the divine promise of everlasting life. The music underlines and heightens these polarities: the orchestral opening, scored without violins, establishes a somber, earthly mood; the chorus entrance brings heavenly light and hope. Throughout, the women's voices evoke choirs of angels; the fifth movement, which Brahms added later as a special farewell to his mother, is a celestial soprano aria offering maternal consolation. This performance brings out the character, color, texture, and emotional impact of the music with great power; orchestra and chorus are absolutely splendid, and the fugues are both clear and triumphant. Schwarzkopf's voice soars and shimmers radiantly, but her incessant slides are incongruously sentimental. Hotter, though chillingly dramatic, is rather too theatrical. --Edith Eisler

Young Karajan: First Recordings 9, Music, Brahms, Karjan, Classical, Classical Music

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