Immerse yourself in the intricate and evocative world of Hans Werner Henze with this compelling 1996 release from Deutsche Grammophon. This album is a triptych of Henze's masterful compositions, blending avant-garde and neoclassical elements into a cohesive and captivating musical journey.
The centerpiece of the album is the "Cantata of the Ultimate Fable," a six-movement work inspired by the poem "Tu sei la fiaba estrema." Henze's compositional prowess shines through in this cantata, with each movement offering a unique emotional and musical landscape. From the introspective "Solo chi ama conosce" to the lively "Sei tu Giulietta?" and the choral "La bella trama, adorata dal mio cuore," the cantata is a testament to Henze's ability to convey deep narratives through music.
Complementing the cantata are two other significant works: "Muses of Sicily" and "Moralities." "Muses of Sicily," composed in 1966, is a three-movement suite that draws inspiration from the landscapes and mythology of Sicily. The pastoral "Pastorale," the reflective "Adagio," and the energetic "Silenus. Vivace" offer a vivid musical depiction of the island's diverse character.
"Moralities," composed in 1967, is a three-part work that explores themes of time, fate, and human experience. The playful "In Urzeiten lebten friedlich," the haunting "Ehe Zeit war, zu des Anfangs Beginn," and the dramatic "Ein Schiff stach in See, verließ den Hafen" showcase Henze's versatility and his ability to create music that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.
With a total runtime of 75 minutes, this album offers a substantial and rewarding listening experience. Whether you're a longtime fan of Hans Werner Henze or a newcomer to his work, this collection of compositions is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Cantata Of The Ultimate Fable On The Poem "Tu sei la fiaba estrema": "Solo chi ama conosce" - Andante ma non troppoHans Werner Henze, Edda Moser, Instrumentalists of the Berlin Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, RIAS Kammerchor
Cantata Of The Ultimate Fable On The Poem "Tu sei la fiaba estrema": "Sei tu Giulietta?" - AllegrettoHans Werner Henze, Edda Moser, Instrumentalists of the Berlin Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra
Cantata Of The Ultimate Fable On The Poem "Tu sei la fiaba estrema": "Sono i tuoi giorni un prato lucente" - AllegrettoHans Werner Henze, Instrumentalists of the Berlin Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, RIAS Kammerchor
Cantata Of The Ultimate Fable On The Poem "Tu sei la fiaba estrema": "Tu eri il paggio favorito alla corte d'Oriente" - Allegretto (lo stesso tempo)Hans Werner Henze, Edda Moser, Instrumentalists of the Berlin Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra
Cantata Of The Ultimate Fable On The Poem "Tu sei la fiaba estrema": "La bella trama, adorata dal mio cuore" - CoraleHans Werner Henze, Instrumentalists of the Berlin Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, RIAS Kammerchor
Cantata Of The Ultimate Fable On The Poem "Tu sei la fiaba estrema": "Quando mi sei vicino" - AndanteHans Werner Henze, Edda Moser, Instrumentalists of the Berlin Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, RIAS Kammerchor
Cantata Of The Ultimate Fable On The Poem "Tu sei la fiaba estrema": "Passa la cacciatrice lunare" - Meno mossoHans Werner Henze, Edda Moser, Instrumentalists of the Berlin Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, RIAS Kammerchor
Muses Of Sicily (1966): 1. PastoraleHans Werner Henze, Joseph Rollino, Paul Sheftel, Members of the Staatskapelle Dresden, Dresdner Kreuzchor
Muses Of Sicily (1966): 2. AdagioHans Werner Henze, Joseph Rollino, Paul Sheftel, Members of the Staatskapelle Dresden, Dresdner Kreuzchor
Muses Of Sicily (1966): 3. Silenus. VivaceHans Werner Henze, Joseph Rollino, Paul Sheftel, Members of the Staatskapelle Dresden, Dresdner Kreuzchor
Moralities (1967): 1. "In Urzeiten lebten friedlich" - Higgeli Pigelli"Hans Werner Henze, Friedemann Jaeckel, Titus Paspirgilis, Dieter Leffler, Frieder Lang, Andreas Scheibner, Cornelius Schwarz, Gewandhausorchester, Dresdner Kreuzchor
Moralities (1967): 2. "Ehe Zeit war, zu des Anfangs Beginn" - "Schwarz sollt ihr sein"Hans Werner Henze, Friedemann Jaeckel, Dieter Leffler, Titus Paspirgilis, Frieder Lang, Andreas Scheibner, Cornelius Schwarz, Gewandhausorchester, Dresdner Kreuzchor
Moralities (1967): 3. "Ein Schiff stach in See, verließ den Hafen" - Rauh wird die NachtHans Werner Henze, Friedemann Jaeckel, Dieter Leffler, Titus Paspirgilis, Andreas Scheibner, Cornelius Schwarz, Frieder Lang, Gewandhausorchester, Dresdner Kreuzchor