Henze, H: Symphony No. 9
Rundfunkchor Berlin & Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Marek Janowski
In Janowski's hands the textures overall are less edgy than on Metzmacher's rival - given a more spacious, reverberant acoustic by the EMI engineers, although both versions were set down in...
Henze, H: Symphony No. 9
Rundfunkchor Berlin & Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, Marek Janowski
Purchase product
In Janowski's hands the textures overall are less edgy than on Metzmacher's rival - given a more spacious, reverberant acoustic by the EMI engineers, although both versions were set down in...
About
The composer Hans Werner Henze describes his Ninth Symphony for mixed chorus and orchestra (words by Hans-Ulrich Treichel after the novel "The Seventh Cross" by Anna Seghers) as follows: "What happens in this symphony is an apotheosis of terror and pain. It is a summa summarum of my creative output, the attempt to come to terms with the assaults of an arbitrary and unpredictable world. A German reality, this symphony is above all an expression of enormous respect for the people who dared to resist in the time of Nazi-Fascist terror and who gave their lives to defend freedom of thought." German-born but long resident in Italy, Hans Werner Henze has just turned 83 and is the most distinguished living composer of his generation. He has been hugely productive and much of his music is attractive and accessible with the added lure of extra-musical programmes that invite the listener in.
Contents and tracklist
- Simon Halsey (chorusmaster)
- Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Rundfunkchor Berlin
- Marek Janowski
Awards and reviews
Awards Issue 2009
In Janowski's hands the textures overall are less edgy than on Metzmacher's rival - given a more spacious, reverberant acoustic by the EMI engineers, although both versions were set down in the Berlin Philharmonie - and likewise the orchestral textures, which at times have greater suavity and beauty of tone.
25th September 2009
the music is densely orchestrated and oppressive, the choral writing demanding; there are no soloists. The piece proclaims itself serious, and does so a bit too obviously. This performance conducted by Marek Janowski, though, is good
