Schumann: Scenen aus Goethes Faust Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra & Nikolaus Harnoncourt

• Robert Schumann (1810-1856): Szenen aus Goethes Faust (1844-53)
• 1Ouvertüre08:17
• Part I: I. Szene im Garten
• 2Du kantest mich, o kleiner Engel, wieder05:07
• Part I: II. Gretchen vor dem Bild der Mater Dolorosa
• 3Ach neige, Du Schmerzensreiche04:40
• Part I: III. Szene im Dom
• 4Wie anders, Gretchen, war dir’s07:15
• Part II: IV. Sonnenaufgang
• 5Die ihr dies Haupt umschwebt im luft'gen Kreise07:26
• 6Taler grünen, Hügel schwellen04:03
• 7Des Lebens Pulse schlagen frisch-lebendig04:08
• 8So ist es also, wenn ein sehnend Hoffen04:11
• Part II: V. Mitternacht
• 9Ich heisse der Mangel02:12
• 10Vier sah ich kommen, drei nur gehn08:59
• 11Die Nacht scheint tiefer tief hereinzudringen02:32
• Part II: VI. Fausts Tod
• 12Herbei, herbei! Herein, herein!13:57
• Part III: VII. Fausts Verklärung
• 13Waldung, sie schwankt heran03:35
• 14Ewiger Wonnebrand01:45
• 15Wie Felsenabgrund mir zu Füssen03:10
• 16Welch ein Morgenwölkchen schwebet03:03
• 17Gerettet ist das edle Glied06:33
• 18Gerettet ist das edle Glied03:57
• 19Hier ist die Aussicht frei05:02
• 20Dir, der Unberührbaren09:01
• 21Alles Vergängliche ist nur ein Gleichnis09:25
• Total Runtime01:58:18

Info for Schumann: Scenen aus Goethes Faust

In April 2008 Nikolaus Harnoncourt and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra executed a series of performances of Schumann's rarely heard masterpiece Szenen aus Goethes Faust.These successful performances were recorded live and edited into the release that you have before you. Nikolaus Harnoncourt made his debut with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in 1975, where his St John and St Matthew Passions opened a whole new chapter in the Amsterdam tradition of performing these works. With the RCO, he directed a number of impressive opera productions, including the Mozart operas by librettist Da Ponte and Strauss' Die Fledermaus, and a great number of symphonic concerts, including symphonies by Haydn, Mozart, Schubert and Dvorák. Much of the repertoire Harnoncourt conducted with the Concertgebouw Orchestra has been recorded and has also received many awards. He was made a Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion in 2006. Nikolaus Harnoncourt was appointed honorary guest conductor in October 2000.

“…Harnoncourt…music, but he's in unusually fluent form here, with airy orchestral and choral textures… Christian Gerhaher is an intellectual, strong-toned Faust, relishing Goethe's robust language…” (BBC Music Magazine)

„What Harnoncourt does particularly superbly is steer away from the slightest hint of anything saccharine: the chorus of blessed boys being a case in point. He's aided by the outstanding Christian Gerhaher, who is moving not only as Faust but in the Dr Marianus music too. Franz-Josef Selig and Alastair Miles are also great assets... Harnoncourt's... never less than compelling, and his vision of this great work is consistently enlightening.” (Gramophone)

“Nikolaus Harnoncourt’s ravishing new account proves a lithe and lyrically rich labour of love...Adroitly blending discourse and drama, Harnoncourt marshals superbly characterised playing from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra to frame no less striking contributions from his singers…” (Michael Quinn, BBC Review)

Christian Gerhaher, baritone
Christiane Iven, soprano
Alastair Miles, bass
Werner Güra, tenor
Mojca Erdmann, soprano
Birgit Remmert, alto
Elisabeth von Magnus, alto
Franz-Josef Selig, bass
Anitra Jellema, soprano
Anjolet Rotteveel, alto
Kevin Doss, tenor (chorus soloists)
Netherlands Radio Choir
Netherlands Children's Choir
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Nikolaus Harnoncourt, conductor

Recorded live at Concertgebouw Amsterdam on 18, 20, 21, 23 and 24 April 2008

No biography found.

Booklet for Schumann: Scenen aus Goethes Faust