Experience the profound and haunting world of Wolfgang Rihm's "Jakob Lenz" with this stunning 2024 release from Oehms Classics. This one-act chamber opera, originally composed between 1977 and 1978, is a seminal work in Rihm's illustrious career, showcasing his unique compositional voice and deep psychological insight.
Based on Georg Büchner's 1836 novella, "Jakob Lenz" delves into the tumultuous life of the German poet Jakob Michael Reinhold Lenz, capturing his descent into madness with stark and poignant intensity. The opera, dedicated to Rihm's teacher Eugen Werner Velte, is a testament to the composer's early genius and has been celebrated for its innovative structure and powerful storytelling.
This 2024 recording, conducted by Franck Ollu and performed by the Nationaltheaterorchester Mannheim, features a stellar cast including Joachim Goltz, Patrick Zielke, and Josefin Feiler, among others. The album spans 13 scenes and 5 interludes, totaling an hour and six minutes of gripping musical drama. Each track is meticulously crafted, reflecting Rihm's mastery of orchestration and his ability to convey complex human experiences through music.
"Jakob Lenz" is not just an opera; it is a profound exploration of the human psyche, blending the mundane with the surreal. Wolfgang Rihm's score is both hauntingly beautiful and deeply unsettling, making it a standout piece in the contemporary opera repertoire. This recording serves as a fitting tribute to Rihm, who passed away in July 2024, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and challenge audiences worldwide.
2024 Oehms Classics2024 Oehms Classics
Tracks
Jakob Lenz, Scene 1: O Geist, der du in mir lebstWolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu, Joachim Goltz, Josefin Feiler, Rebecca Blanz, Marie–Belle Sandis, Maria Polańska, Serhii Moskalchuk, Marcel Brunner
Jakob Lenz, Scene 2: Was machst du da?Wolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu, Joachim Goltz, Patrick Zielke
Jakob Lenz: Zwischenspiel IWolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu
Jakob Lenz, Scene 3: Oft fühl' ich um MitternachtWolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu, Joachim Goltz, Patrick Zielke, Raphael Wittmer, Josefin Feiler, Rebecca Blanz, Marie–Belle Sandis, Maria Polańska, Serhii Moskalchuk, Marcel Brunner
Jakob Lenz, Scene 4: Lenz, ich suchte dichWolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu, Joachim Goltz, Patrick Zielke, Josefin Feiler, Rebecca Blanz, Marie–Belle Sandis, Maria Polańska, Serhii Moskalchuk, Marcel Brunner, Children's Choir of Nationaltheater Mannheim
Jakob Lenz, Scene 5: Ich bitt' Euch, laßt mich predigenWolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu, Joachim Goltz, Patrick Zielke, Josefin Feiler, Rebecca Blanz, Marie–Belle Sandis, Maria Polańska, Serhii Moskalchuk, Marcel Brunner, Children's Choir of Nationaltheater Mannheim
Jakob Lenz: Zwischenspiel IIWolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu
Jakob Lenz, Scene 6: Gott zum Gruß, Herr Pfarrer!Wolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu, Joachim Goltz, Patrick Zielke, Raphael Wittmer
Jakob Lenz: Zwischenspiel IIIWolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu
Jakob Lenz, Scene 7: Wie milde und süß des Abends KühleWolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu, Joachim Goltz, Josefin Feiler, Rebecca Blanz, Marie–Belle Sandis, Maria Polańska, Serhii Moskalchuk, Marcel Brunner
Jakob Lenz: Zwischenspiel IVWolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu
Jakob Lenz, Scene 8: Sagen Sie mirWolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu, Joachim Goltz, Patrick Zielke
Jakob Lenz, Scene 9: Auf dieser Welt hab' ich keine Freud'Wolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu, Joachim Goltz, Josefin Feiler, Rebecca Blanz, Marie–Belle Sandis, Maria Polańska, Serhii Moskalchuk, Marcel Brunner
Jakob Lenz, Scene 10: Weg! Weg!Wolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu, Joachim Goltz, Josefin Feiler, Rebecca Blanz, Marie–Belle Sandis, Maria Polańska, Serhii Moskalchuk, Marcel Brunner, Children's Choir of Nationaltheater Mannheim
Jakob Lenz, Scene 11: Von nun an die Sonne in TrauerWolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu, Joachim Goltz, Josefin Feiler, Rebecca Blanz, Marie–Belle Sandis, Maria Polańska, Serhii Moskalchuk, Marcel Brunner
Jakob Lenz: Zwischenspiel VWolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu
Jakob Lenz, Scene 12: Was ist geschelen?Wolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu, Joachim Goltz, Josefin Feiler, Rebecca Blanz, Marie–Belle Sandis, Maria Polańska, Serhii Moskalchuk, Marcel Brunner, Patrick Zielke, Raphael Wittmer
Jakob Lenz, Scene 13: Sein Zustand wird mir unerträglichWolfgang Rihm, Nationaltheater-Orchester Mannheim, Franck Ollu, Joachim Goltz, Patrick Zielke, Raphael Wittmer, Josefin Feiler, Rebecca Blanz, Marie–Belle Sandis, Maria Polańska, Serhii Moskalchuk, Marcel Brunner
Wolfgang Rihm (1952-2024) was a towering figure in contemporary classical music, renowned for his prolific output and distinctive voice. Born in Karlsruhe, Germany, Rihm composed over 500 works throughout his career, spanning a wide range of genres from chamber music to grand operas. His stage works, including operas like "Faust und Yorick," "Jakob Lenz," and "Die Eroberung von Mexico," are particularly celebrated for their innovative and expressive power. Rihm's music is characterized by its intellectual depth and emotional intensity, often giving the impression of a composer thinking aloud on paper. Beyond his compositions, Rihm was a dedicated educator and mentor, influencing generations of younger composers. His legacy includes a vast and diverse oeuvre that continues to inspire and challenge audiences and musicians alike.
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Wolfgang Rihm
