Schoenberg: Kol Nidre - Shostakovich: Suite on Verses of Michelangelo Buonarroti

This album presents a captivating blend of profound works by two titans of 20th-century classical music: Arnold Schoenberg and Dmitri Shostakovich. Conducted by the renowned Riccardo Muti, this live recording offers a unique opportunity to experience the depth and complexity of these composers' visions.

The album opens with Arnold Schoenberg's "Kol Nidre," Op. 39, a hauntingly beautiful setting of the traditional Jewish liturgical text. This piece showcases Schoenberg's unique harmonic language and his ability to evoke deep spiritual and emotional resonance.

The remainder of the album is dedicated to Dmitri Shostakovich's "Suite on Verses of Michelangelo Buonarroti," Op. 145a. This suite is a setting of poems by the great Renaissance artist and poet Michelangelo Buonarroti, and it explores a wide range of human experiences, from love and creativity to wrath and mortality. Shostakovich's music is characterized by its powerful rhythms, stark contrasts, and profound expressive depth, making this suite a tour de force of 20th-century chamber music.

The album features a total of 12 tracks, with a duration of 56 minutes and 48 seconds. It was released on September 30, 2016, under the CSO Resound label. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience. The combination of Schoenberg's and Shostakovich's unique voices, along with Muti's masterful conducting, makes for an unforgettable journey through some of the most powerful and evocative music of the 20th century.