Sehnsucht

sehnsuchtSehnsucht is the title of a new CD from Barbara Hannigan and friends.  It features three works in new arrangements for voice and chamber ensemble.  Hannigan sings Berg’s Sieben frühe Lieder in an arrangement by Reinbert de Leeuw.  Baritone Raoul Steffani sings the Vier Gesänge Op.2 in an arrangement by Henk de Vlieger. There’s also a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No.4 in an arrangement by Erwin Stein.  The eleven member Camerata RCO is conducted by Rolf Verbeek.

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The valley of lost things

How to present a mostly forgotten composer to a modern audience is an interesting conundrum.  Reviving a four hour opera seria about Marcus Aurelius likely isn’t the answer and just sticking a few pieces in an otherwise mainstream program is unlikely to have much impact either.  Better by far, I think, is the approach Ivars Taurins has taken in Tafelmusik’s current run of concerts of music by the Venetian Agostino Steffani (1654-1728) at Trinity St.Paul’s.

1714_circa_Gerhard_Kappers,_Agostino_Steffani,_oil_on_canvas,_89_x_69_cm

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