Various Artists - Gebete Fur Mitgefangene - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Ernest Bloch's Suite Hébraïque was the starting point for this program 'This music came as a revelation to us. It's language is overwhelming and tells of the ravages of the twentieth century...The other composers in this program (Ravel, Bloch, Bruch, Prokofiev, Shostakovich) each in their own way experienced the full force of this tormented century and drew inspiration from the most timeless and universal aspects of folk and sacred repertories, the better to respond to the brutality of the age', say violist Arnaud Thorette and pianist Johan Farjot, who devised this program. Johan Farjot has also arranged John Williams's famous Schindler's List theme for viola and cello. An intense and poignant experience, also featuring other superb artists Antoine Pierlot (cello), Pierre Génisson (clarinet), Karine Deshayes (mezzo-soprano), and Sarah and Deborah Nemtanu (violin). Album Tracks 1. Rapsodie (Suite Hébraïque) 2. Kaddish (Deux Mélodies Hébraïques) 3. Schindler's List Theme 4. Rumänische Melodie (8 Pieces Op. 83) 5. Morenica 6. Three Scenes from Jewish Life 7. The Good Life (From Jewish Folk Poetry) 8. Sholem-Alekhem, Feidman! 9. Kol Nidrei, Op. 47 10. Overture on Hebrew Themes, Op. 34

Album Tracks 1. I. Moderato - Allegro Non Troppo 2. II. Andante Ma Non Troppo 3. III. Scherzo - Molto Vivo 4. IV. Finale. Con Passione 5. I. Divertimento 6. II. Elegie 7. III. Fuga 8. IV. Improvisazione 9. V. Canon 10. VI. Finale - Scherzo 11. I. Larghetto 12. II. Allegretto Scherzando 13. III. Notturno 14. IV. Allegro 15. V. Andante

This recording, whose title is here embodied in an instrumental version by Georg Böhm of the renowned chorale Vater unser, brings together sacred works and Lutheran cantatas for the alto voice. The concertante role allotted to the instruments is particularly important in these works and contributes to their deeply expressive character; these works were heavily influenced by Italian styles of the period. All of the instrumental works are closely linked to sacred music, the majority of them being constructed around chorale melodies. The violinist Stéphanie de Failly founded Clematis in 2001 with the intention of concentrating on the lesser-known repertoire of the 17th century. The ensemble performs extensively from the Italian repertoire of the period as well as French and German works, although with a particular interest in the forgotten works of such composers from the Low Countries of the time as Nicolaus à Kempis, Carolus Hacquart and Giuseppe Zamponi. Clematis also made a performing version and gave the first performance in modern times of Zamponi's opera Ulisse nell isola di Circe; the opera had first been given in Brussels in 1650. The French counter-tenor, Paulin Bündgen, graduated from the Lyons Conservatoire (CNSM) and went on to study with Marie-Claude Vallin, Dominique Vellard and Isabelle Eschenbrenner. He has appeared at many festivals, and is comfortable on the opera stage as well. He also has an affinity for contemporary music. Album Tracks 1. Sinfonia Vater Unser 2. Vater Unser Im Himmelreich 3. Herr, Wenn Ich Nur Dich Habe 4. Salve Mi Jesu 5. Sonata Hertzlich Thut Mich Verlangen 6. Weil Jesu in Meinem Sinn 7. Sonata a 6 8. Ach Daß Ich Wassers G'nug Hätte 9. Vater Unser Im Himmelreich 10. Was Betrübst Du Dich, Meine Seele 11. Auf, Laßt Uns Den Herren Loben 12. Cum Maria Diluculo 13. Sinfonia Da Pacem Domine a 7 14. Grabge