STRAVINSKY

Late Stravinsky Masterworks

 

Canticum Sacrum for tenor, baritone, chorus and orchestra (1956)

Agon: Ballet for twelve dancers (1954-57)

Requiem Canticles for contralto, bass, chorus and orchestra (1971)

 

Vocal Ensemble Stuttgart

SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg / Michael Gielen

 

Michael Gielen proves once again that he is one of the masters of 20th century repertoire in this new recording of late Stravinsky scores. Both orchestra and conductor have established themselves among the most fluid and sensitive interpreters of 20th century music and here they are joined by first-rank singers and the astonishingly virtuoso Vokalensemble Stuttgart in definitive performances of Stravinsky's late choral works, the striking Requiem canticles and the austere Canticum sacrum, composed for St. Mark's in Venice.

“….Stravinsky’s final ballet, Agon, provides a wonderful contrast, with its appropriation of baroque dance forms, generous rhythmic and melodic invention, and constantly varied orchestration, all of which Michael Gielen and his Freiburg-based orchestra audibly relish. All three are very fine performances, and provide as good an introduction to the world of late Stravinsky as any currently available on disc.”

The Guardian, 17th October, 2008

 

“The biggest challenge is surmounted in Canticum Sacrum, a work conceived for the ample acoustics of St Marks Church in Venice. In this performance its austere beauty and grandeur really come to life, aided by the outstanding choral contribution from the SWR Vocal Ensemble and an atmospheric recording.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2009
 

Hanssler HAEN93226