Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op. 45 [German Requiem]

Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op. 45 [German Requiem] cover $25.00 Low Stock add to cart

JOHANNES BRAHMS
Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem, Op. 45 [German Requiem]
Anna Lucia Richter (soprano) & Stephan Genz (baritone) / Leipzig MDR Radio Symphony Chorus and Orchestra, Marin Alsop

[ Naxos / CD ]

Release Date: Monday 29 July 2013

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From its disappointing initial reception, misunderstood and under-rehearsed in Vienna in 1867, Brahms's A German Requiem (the composer, in a letter, once substituted 'human' for 'German') has since become known as one of the most powerfully charged such works in the canon. It was almost certainly the death of Brahms's mother in 1865 that triggered his desire to write such a work. But it avoids overt Christian references, thus differing profoundly from conventional liturgical Latin Requiems, and remains deeply rooted in the tradition of Bach and Schütz.

"It's a clear, unsentimental interpretation, but plodding at times in the fugues, lacking intensity and unpersuasively sung at key moments. A good antidote, though, to more indulgently romantic recordings." The Times, 3rd August 2013 ***

"the performance, if a mite over-respectful, comes across as sensitively contoured, intelligently paced and immaculately balanced. The soloists, Stephan Genz and Anna Lucia Richter, combine purity and expressiveness, and the radiant MDR chorus has the music in its bones" Financial Times, 10th August 2013 ****

"The Leipzig Radio Choir sounds like a large body. There are no fluffed entries and no weaknesses. The tenor are particularly impressive, with no sense of strain on the high notes. Stephan Genz is properly suppliant...and Anna Lucia Richter shows great promise" Gramophone Magazine, September 2013

"The chorus sings splendidly throughout, very nearly reaching to the high levels of choral singing achieved in the Gardiner recording. The sound reproduction by Naxos is vivid and powerful. In general, I can opine that Alsop has fashioned an excellent performance of the Brahms Requiem to compete with the very best recordings available." ClassicalNet

"a sensitive and often moving account of the score. Alsop's tempos are never ponderous, in places almost brisk...at its bargain price, this honest, no-nonsense account, beautifully played and sung, is certainly competitive." BBC Music Magazine, October 2013 ****

"Above all, it's an asset to hear the German text delivered by native German speakers...Genz is an appropriate choice as the baritone soloist in this Leipzig performance since his musical training took place in the city...Alsop's direction of the score is very good." MusicWeb International, 27th September 2013