The relationship between Hans Werner Henze and Oliver Knussen was one of great mutual respect. The German composer admired the British conductor and composer for electrifying performances of Henze's own and other composers' works. Knussen was an untiring and enthusiastic champion of his friend Henze's music. The recordings collected here display Knussen's deep understanding of Henze's music. Knussen conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in sensitive and meticulous performances of compositions ranging from the composer's middle period to his last completed work. Los Caprichos transforms the bitterness and sarcasm in Francisco Goya's famous series of etchings into a tender and melancholy "Fantasia per orchestra" that makes only sparing use of contemporary stylistic devices. The large orchestral work Heliogabalus Imperator - a programmatic depiction of the life and death of the notorious Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus - also provides evidence of Henze's self-assured and idiosyncratic interpretation of modern music idioms. The Englische Liebeslieder for solo violoncello and orchestra express a wide range of emotional states, which are brought to life by cellist Anssi Karttunen.

Tracklist:

Los Caprichos. (Fantasia Per Orchestra): I. Nadie Se Conoce
Los Caprichos. (Fantasia Per Orchestra): II. Tal Para Qual
Los Caprichos. (Fantasia Per Orchestra): III. El Sueño De La Razón Produce Monstruos
Los Caprichos. (Fantasia Per Orchestra): IV. ¿quién Más Rendido?
Los Caprichos. (Fantasia Per Orchestra): V. El Sí Pronuncian Y La Mano Alargan Al Primero Que Llega
Los Caprichos. (Fantasia Per Orchestra): VI. ¿de Qué Mal Morirá?
Los Caprichos. (Fantasia Per Orchestra): VII. Aquellos Polvos
Los Caprichos. (Fantasia Per Orchestra): VIII. No Hubo Remedio
Los Caprichos. (Fantasia Per Orchestra): IX. Linda Maestra!
Heliogabalus Imperator. Allegoria Per Musica
Englische Liebeslieder: I. Ruhig, Verhalten
Englische Liebeslieder: II. Viertel = 72
Englische Liebeslieder: III. Bewegt, Heftig, Stürmisch
Englische Liebeslieder: IV. Ernst, Getragen
Englische Liebeslieder: V. Tango
Englische Liebeslieder: VI. Sonett
Ouverture Zu Einem Theater

UPC: 4010228734423
Label: Wergo Germany
Release Date: 6.14.19
Format: CD

Henze / Karttunen / Bbc Symphony Orchestra - Heliogabalus Imperator (CD)