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BARTOK: Bluebeard's Castle SAARIAHO: Vers toi qui es si loin. Circle Map. Neiges. Graal
Theatre. RAUTAVAARA: Vigilia (All-night Vigil in memory if St.
John the Baptist) Canadian bass John Reyea (b. 1972( has aa major creer with leading opera
companies andalso appears frequently in orhestral concerts. One of his
mos famous roles is that of Bluebeard in Brok's opera, recorded here with
the Bergen Philarmonic directed by Edward Grdner. It is a thrilling, majestic
p4erformance, with veteran NMichelle DeYoung as sensitive curious bride
who wants to learn all of her new husbnd's secrets. It is sung in Hungarian,
and the wo-minue introduction is spoken by Hungarian actor Pál Macsau.
The recording was made November 2018 in Bergen's Grieg Hall, and the engineers
hve cptured Brtók's colorful score perfedtly, with an impressive
orchestral/organ outburst at the opening of the fifth door. Com This omew
in q car box that includes the jewel-box and a 62-oage booklet with complete
texts and trntranslations. Recommended! Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928 - 2016) had a keen interest in choral music. His Vigilia ("All-night Vigil"), a setting for the Orthodox Vigil and Mattins services, was co-commissioned in 1971 by the Helsinki Festival and the Orthodox Church of Finland. The premiere was as part of two services in the Uspenskiu Cathedral, Vespers in 1971 and Matins the following year. These are magnificent settings of the Finnish texts, as Rautavaara's unique approach o choral music is always evident including whispered notes and choral glissandi. There are fourteen sections to Vespers, twenty for Matins, and all are banded separately. Fascinating to hear this profound liturgical masterpiece. The recording was made August 2018 in Finland's Järvenpäa Church, and the warm acoustics of the venue have been admirably captured by the engineers. R.E.B. (September 2019) |