Bernarda

This important recording presents all of Hugo Wolf’s settings of the poetry of Eichendorff—26 songs in all, several of which seem never to have been recorded before (a fact which is hard to understand because they are very attractive). One of Wolf’s favourite writers, Joseph, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788–1857) was the German Romantic poet par excellence and his poems are full of the sounds of nature, the beauty of landscape, religious faith, and much musical imagery, with references to minstrels and other musicians. He was the poet of Schumann’s Op 39 Liederkreis, though perhaps the most well-known Eichendorff setting is Im Abendrot from Strauss’s Four Last Songs.

Gustav Mahler's Second Symphony, also referred to as the "Resurrection Symphony", is a complete expression of Mahler’s existential struggle; both its form and its overpowering sound make this utterly clear. This live recording from 20011 is performed by the Chor and Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks under its chief conductor Mariss Jansons with the two singers Anja Harteros and Bernarda Fink.

A superb Rossini rarity receives an idiomatic account. Cecilia Gasdia is a touching Zelmira, and William Matteuzzi as her lover Ilo is in fine fettle. –- BBC Music Magazine
the register for William Matteuzzi as Ilio is very high indeed. It is creditable that he makes it all sound so easy and natural as he soars into the stratosphere. Cecilia Gasdia is also completely unfazed by all the difficulties in the title role…Bernarda Fink is superlative. –-MusicWeb International

Antonio Caldara, in this recently rediscovered church opéra, reaches a rare level of beauty and intensity. Beauty essentially due to the perfect blend and contrast between the various voices. The two alti and the two soprani are absolutely marvellous in their complementary values and hues, and they enhance the bass and the tenor in a unique way. Intensity due to the debate in Maddalena between carnal love and spiritual christian love. This debate is represented by the fight between the two alti, Amor Celeste and Amor Terreno, redoubled with the same debate between the two soprani…
Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

Edited with invaluable student notes - a must for students of Spanish drama…