Coming Soon,
A Schumann rarity from Rattle and the LSO
Sir Simon Rattle has been appearing with the LSO quite frequently of late – with a Rite of Spring tomorrow, and last weekend a concert at the Barbican that will appear on the orchestra's own label in the autumn.
Soloists Sally Matthews and Mark Padmore led a performance of Schumann's rather neglected secular oratorio Das Paradies und die Peri that produced a flurry of critical acclamations – the Independent describing it as 'exquisitely phrased and eliciting its rapt numinous quality' and the Guardian praising the 'refinement of the strings and especially the tactfulness of the brass'.
The libretto Schumann sets is, to modern eyes, a perhaps rather saccharine tale; it follows an angel who, after being expelled from Heaven, must gain readmittance by searching the Earth for the gift dearest to God. The music, however, is among Schumann's finest – and the work has been something of a favourite of Rattle's, with a series of recent performances contributing to a growing rehabilitation of its reputation.
At any rate, Sir Simon is becoming something of a regular with the LSO – and long may this relationship continue...!
Related recordings
Nowhere is Rattle's affinity for Schumann more clearly shown than in his recent symphony cycle with the Berliner Philharmoniker, released on the orchestra's own label in May 2014. This set includes both CDs and HD Blu-rays, as well as access to Studio Quality downloadable audio files.
Available Format: 2 CDs + Blu-ray
Paired with two other comparatively rarely-heard Schumann choral works, the Requiem für Mignon and Nachtlied, this recording by John Eliot Gardiner from 1999 was in many ways the touchstone for the revival of Das Paradies. Soloists include Barbara Bonney, Bernarda Fink, Gerald Finley and Christoph Prégardien.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
A more recent reading by Nikolaus Harnoncourt, with an all-German cast including Dorothea Röschmann, Werner Güra and Christian Gerhaher (and with a second appearance from Bernarda Fink), this is a more consciously 'authentic' account that draws on sensitiveness to period performance practices to create a light soundworld.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
David Smith - Head of Digital
