Rias Kammerchor Wolfgang Rihm Astralis & Other Choral Works

Wolfgang Rihm’s compositions for string quartet, as extensive as they are varied, share no clear common denominator. Despite all the variety that exists, his string quartets have from the beginning been a constant element in his oeuvre: So far, there are thirteen quartets, as well as ten other compositions for or with a string quartet – a selection of these works can be found on this CD……

This is Volume Six of the Rihm Edition, another excellent entry in Hanssler's composer-curated series of recordings by the orchestras of the SWR (Southwest German Radio). This time around we find Sylvain Cambreling leading his SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg in two concertos. "Uber die Linie II: Musik fur Klarinette und Orchester" (1999 – 37'07) was written for Jorg Widmann, composer, clarinettist, and Rihm protege….

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The RIAS-Kammerchor Berlin and its chief conductor Justin Doyle present Handel’s Messiah, together with the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin and an all-British quartet of outstanding soloists, consisting of Julia Doyle (soprano), Tim Mead (countertenor), Thomas Hobbs (tenor) and Roderick Williams (bass). Messiah (1742) is not only Handel’s most famous work, but equally one of the cornerstones of British choral culture. Over the years, a tradition of mass performances full of pomp and circumstance took root, with the "Hallelujah" as a showstopper. This new period-instruments recording, however, aims to bring the piece back to the size and intimacy of the earliest performances.

This two-disc set includes "Morphonie" for orchestra with solo string quartet (1972 – 40'10) and "Klangbeschreibung I-III" (1987 – 87'10). Both were premiered by the SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg at the Donaueschinger Musiktage: "Morphonie" in 1974 and "Klangbeschreibung" in 1987. These recordings were made in the studio, based on the same intensive rehearsals. "Morphonie" is led by Ernest Bour, while "Klangbeschreibung" is led by Michael Gielen…….

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The fifth installment of the Wolfgang Rihm Edition brings together four orchestral pieces, composed between 2002 and 2008. "Metamorphosis I" was written for the NDR Symphony Orchestra, "Metamorphosis II" for the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig, "Metamorphosis III" for the Staatskapelle Weimar, and "Metamorphosis IV" for the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. The last two of these works ("Metamorphosis III and IV") were completed in 2008 and ……

Wolfgang Rihm is one of the world's most eminent and prolific composers. His works for violin and piano encompass almost his entire compositional career from Hekton in 1972 to the solo violin +œber die Linie VII in 2006. Each draws on a wide range of influences from folk-like moments embedded quotations and dazzlingly virtuosic episodes. They reflect the breadth of Rihm's various changing styles which are almost unique in today's music in marrying contemporary technique with emotionally powerful resonances.