Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Frederick Delius with his monumental choral work, "A Mass of Life." This newly released recording, captured live from performances in the acoustically renowned Grieg Hall in Bergen, September 2022, brings together the stellar talents of the Bergen Philharmonic, conducted by the esteemed Sir Mark Elder, and a distinguished cast led by baritone Roderick Williams.
Delius's "A Mass of Life" is a profound and deeply moving exploration of life, love, and the human experience, set to a text inspired by Nietzsche's "Also sprach Zarathustra." The work is divided into two parts, each offering a unique blend of orchestral richness and choral grandeur. From the stirring opening of "A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 1: I. Animato—O du mein Wille!" to the solemn and reflective "A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: VI. Largo con solennita—Kommt! Lasst uns jetzt wandeln!", the album is a journey through a tapestry of emotions and musical brilliance.
With a total runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes, this two-disc set is a testament to Delius's compositional genius and the exceptional artistry of the performers. The recording, released on November 24, 2023, by Lawo Classics, is a must-listen for fans of classical music and those seeking a deeper understanding of Delius's unique musical language. Whether you are a longtime admirer of Delius or new to his work, this recording of "A Mass of Life" is sure to leave a lasting impression.
(C) 2023 LAWO Classics(P) 2023 LAWO Classics
Tracks
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 1: I. Animato—O du mein Wille!Frederick Delius, Friedrich Nietzsche, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Mark Elder
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 1: II. Erhebt eure Herzen, Brüder, hoch! (Recitativ)Frederick Delius, Friedrich Nietzsche, Roderick Williams, Sir Mark Elder, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 1: III. Andante tranquillo con dolcezza—In dein Auge schaute ich jüngst, O LebenFrederick Delius, Friedrich Nietzsche, Gemma Summerfield, Claudia Huckle, Bror Magnus Tødenes, Roderick Williams, Sir Mark Elder, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 1: IV. Agitato ma moderato—Wehe mir! Wo ist die Zeit hin?Frederick Delius, Friedrich Nietzsche, Roderick Williams, Sir Mark Elder, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 1: V. Andante molto tranquillo—Nacht ist esFrederick Delius, Friedrich Nietzsche, Roderick Williams, Sir Mark Elder, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: IntroductionFrederick Delius, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Mark Elder
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: I. Con elevazione e vigore—Herauf! Nun herauf, du grosser Mittag!Frederick Delius, Friedrich Nietzsche, Gemma Summerfield, Claudia Huckle, Bror Magnus Tødenes, Sir Mark Elder, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: II. Andante—Süsse Leier! Ich liebe deinen TonFrederick Delius, Friedrich Nietzsche, Roderick Williams, Sir Mark Elder, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: III. Lento molto—Lasst vom Tanzen ab, ihr lieblichen Mädchen!Frederick Delius, Friedrich Nietzsche, Roderick Williams, Sir Mark Elder, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: IV. Lento—Heisser Mittag schläft auf den FlurenFrederick Delius, Friedrich Nietzsche, Gemma Summerfield, Claudia Huckle, Bror Magnus Tødenes, Roderick Williams, Sir Mark Elder, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: V. Allegro ma non troppo—Gottes Weh ist tiefer, du wunderliche WeltFrederick Delius, Friedrich Nietzsche, Roderick Williams, Sir Mark Elder, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: VI. Largo con solennita—Kommt! Lasst uns jetzt wandeln!Frederick Delius, Friedrich Nietzsche, Gemma Summerfield, Claudia Huckle, Bror Magnus Tødenes, Roderick Williams, Sir Mark Elder, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
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