The “The Last Judgment” by Louis Spohr is one of the most important oratorios of the early 19th c. Accompanied recitatives, short contrapuntal solos and above all great choruses characterize the musical structure. Contrary to other apocalyptic compositions, Spohr focuses on a positive, comforting fundamental attitude of joyful anticipation, making manifest the praise of God and the portrayal of omnipotence, kindness and righteousness. Frieder Bernius and the Stuttgart Chamber Choir together with the Bremen Chamber Philharmonic present the oratorio on this recording.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Following the recent CPO releases of Johann Wilhelm Hertel’s opulent Christmas oratorio and passion cantata Der sterbende Heiland, the label now presents several other highly imaginative sacred works by this composer, most of them written for religious services at the Mecklenburg-Schwerin court. Along with the sinfonia from a cantata for the birthday celebration of the then Duke Friedrich, the program includes two motets, a peace composition, and two cantatas. All the choral works are closely associated with chorales and their special execution during the 18th c.

Ever since the memorable Václav Talich recording in the Fifties, Josef Suk's (1874-1935) Asraël symphony has never really benefited from a reference recording. Yet this symphony, of a dimension worthy of Mahler, written a century ago by a man crucified by pain, is slowly finding its way into the limelight. Walter Weller grew up between Vienna and Prague, at a time when Talich was still active, and has known Czech music since the cradle. With the Belgian National Orchestra, he leads us into an intimate comprehension of this partition, written after the death of Suk's father-in-law - Dvorák - and for part of the work, struck by the death of his young wife, Otilie. Asraël (Angel of Death) is a unique reflection upon death, where sadness, anger, resignation and the overcoming of pain form an extraordinary storyline, a combination of intimacy and remarkable fullness of sound. Extremely rare in discography, the complementary work will be of interest to all the amateurs of Czech music and of works inspired by the war: Legend of the Dead Victors is Suk's tribute to the Czech soldiers who died during World War I; an extraordinary short piece suggesting another vision of how to overcome death.

Classical Music