Description
Barbara Hannigan, soprano (1-7, 15)
Raoul Steffani, baritone (8-11)
Camerata RCO led by Rolf Verbeek
Recorded live at De Doelen, Rotterdam
Alpha Classics, ALPHA872
Sehnsucht, a central and nearly untranslatable word of the Viennese fin-de-siècle period, referring to aspects of longing, melancholy, and nostalgia. During the Covid-19 pandemic, a collective Sehnsucht arose, in performers and audiences alike. Sehnsucht: Live in Rotterdam, played to the empty concert hall of De Doelen. We decided to issue the recording as an album, recognizing that the performance also represents continuity and mentorship through music. Both young Dutch artists, conductor Rolf Verbeek and baritone Raoul Steffani are associated with the initiatives Equilibrium and Momentum, and joined me and the Camerata RCO for this intimate journey… In Sehnsucht, we explore two song cycles of Berg, written shortly after Mahler’s 4th Symphony. All these works are presented in special arrangements for chamber ensemble. The Berg songs are expanded from their original voice and piano to a dialogue of new colours and instrumentation. Mahler’s 4th Symphony is reduced to an intimate soloistic journey, a tender conversation.
– Barbara Hannigan
Alban Berg (1885-1935)
Sieben Frühe Lieder arr. Reinbert de Leeuw
1. Nacht
2. Schilflied
3. Die Nachtigall
4. Traumgekrönt
5. Im Zimmer
6. Liebesode
7. Sommertage
Vier Gesänge, Op. 2 arr. Henk de Vlieger
8. I. Schlafen, nichts als schlafen
9. II. Schlafend trägt man mich
10. III. Nun ich der Riesen Stärksten überwand
11. IV. Warm die Lüfte
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Symphony No. 4 in G Major arr. Erwin Stein
12. I. Bedächtig, nicht eilen
13. II. In gemächlicher Bewegung, ohne Hast
14. III. Ruhevoll, poco adagio
15. IV. Sehr behaglich
Total time: 80’44
