Elgar: Sea Pictures. Falstaff

Elina Garanca, Staatskapelle Berlin, Daniel Barenboim

Released on 24-07-2020 by Decca Music Group Ltd.
Main artists: Elina Garanca Staatskapelle Berlin Daniel Barenboim
Genre: Klassiek

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Three composers are particularly well suited to conductor Daniel Barenboim: Bruckner, Wagner and Sir Edward Elgar; no doubt a question of orchestral colour and texture. Since his collaboration with the Universal labels has resumed (Decca for orchestral projects, Deutsche Grammophon for piano), he has once again been exploring the English composer's orchestral works with his beloved Staatskapelle Berlin, an ensemble characterised by dark timbres. After beautiful versions of the two symphonies and The Dream of Gerontius, what a joy it is to now be able to immerse ourselves in Sea Pictures, one of the most poetic song cycles of the late 19th century. The broad spectrum of the Latvian mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča's voice and her silky timbre fit perfectly with the lyrical yet tragic lines of Where Corals Lie (the most beautiful “song” of the cycle), as well as with the more theatrical The Swimmer, which takes on a truly extravagant tone. Unlike many other recordings since the legendary 1965 recording by Dame Janet Baker and Sir John Barbirolli with the London Symphony Orchestra (His Master's Voice), Elīna Garanča and Daniel Barenboim willingly drop the melancholy and contemplative tone of Sea Pictures. More in keeping with the romantic performances of the early 19th century (Berlioz), following a pattern of "Introduction" (Sea Slumber Song), "Aria I" (In Haven), an alternating form mixing recitatives and ariosos (Sabbath Morning at Sea), "Aria II" (Where Corals Lie) and "Conclusion" (The Swimmer), they have created a much more dramatic atmosphere despite very measured tempo contrasts. Barenboim's clearly drawn phrasings in the introduction of the last "song" can testify to this new approach, which in this respect is very different from the earlier recording with Yvonne Minton (CBS). Daniel Barenboim and the Staatskapelle Berlin continue the programme with the symphonic study Falstaff, composed in 1912, on which the conductor underlines its links with the work of Richard Strauss (Don Quixote, Ein Heldenleben). As always, Daniel Barenboim's conducting is full of verve (Falstaff's March). A truly wonderful rendition. © Pierre-Yves Lascar/Qobuz

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Elgar: Sea Pictures. Falstaff

Elina Garanca

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Sea Pictures, Op. 37 (Edward Elgar)

I. Sea Slumber Song

Elina Garanca

00:04:41

Edward Elgar, Composer - Daniel Barenboim, Conductor, MainArtist - Staatskapelle Berlin, Orchestra, MainArtist - Friedemann Engelbrecht, Producer, Recording Producer - René Möller, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Elina Garanca, Mezzo-Soprano, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Helen Lewis, Producer, Executive Producer - Roden Noel, Author - Wolfgang Schiefermair, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Sebastian Nattkemper, Editor, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Thomas Bössl, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cornelius Dürst, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Philipp Reif, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel