Theresa Baumgärtner

Inspired by the foggy San Francisco Bay, Long String Instrument master Ellen Fullman and cellist Theresa Wong unfurl elliptical tonal changes and anxiously resonant dissonance that feels like being stranded at the end of the earth.

Hans Pfitzner was one of the most important composers of Lieder in the Romantic period. Many of the songs on this album address subjects associated with withdrawal and introversion: the recollection of the happiness of past love, melancholic images of nature, and an awareness of the finite nature of human existence. Included is the world premiere recording of Weihnachtslied, his only setting inspired by a genuine folk song. But at this collection’s heart are the two remarkable cycles, Opp. 35 and 40, that are full of harmonic sophistication, impassioned expression, technical daring, and profoundly human understanding.

J.S. Bach - Branderburg Concertos (1-6) and Orchestral Suites (1-4) (1990) {3CD Festival Strings Lucerne, Rudolf Baumgartner rel 1977-1978}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 986 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 433 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 122 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977-78, 1990 EuroDisc / BMG Ariola | 69219-2-RV
Classical / Baroque / Concerto / Orchestral

I've been listening to Brandenburgs non-stop for the past three weeks, for some reason. I love the Ristenpart recording, and I like the Britten version even better in some ways. This Baumgartner recording has a certain elegance. The pace is a tad slower and the ambience a bit thicker. The second movement of the first Brandenburg hits that emotional place a bit better than in the Britten version. I would be hard pressed to say which I prefer overall, but on first listening I sure loved this recording.

With the Latvian Festival Orchestra Riga directed by Karsten Januschke, German bass Andreas Bauer Kanabas unleashes passions of love, treason and despair in a well-chosen programme of arias. At the point of deception, the soul not only experiences the greatest disappointment, but also clarity and truthfulness. Andreas Bauer Kanabas traces these moments of deep longing and melancholy with interpretations that are rooted in great emotional power.