Johannes BRAHMS (1833-1897)
Music for Chorus and Orchestra
Ave Maria, Op.12 (1858) [4:49]
Begräbnisgesang, Op.13 (1858) [8:51]
Alto Rhapsody, Op.53 (1869) [14:51]
Schicksalslied, Op.54 (1868-1871) [17:56]
Nänie, Op.82 (1881) [13:43]
Gesang der Parzen, Op.89 (1882) [9:44]
Ewa Wolak (alto)
Warsaw Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra/Antoni Wit
rec. Jan-Apr 2010, Warsaw Philharmonic Hall. DDD
NAXOS 8.572694 [69:54]
Brahms often created contrasting works in pairs. It was as if he was weighing
each new idea that came into his head and sort them into whichever ‘buckets’
fitted best. Think, for example, of his Tragic and Academic Festival
overtures. Three such pairs are presented on this disc. Although they belong
to the early, middle and late periods of his creative life, they are not radically
different in style. In any event, Brahms’ style did not change much
over the years. The order of the works provides diversity: the soothing alternates
with the angry, Heaven on one hand and the Underworld on the other.
The two earliest works may not be as familiar as the rest. This is a shame,
for they are very attractive, albeit compositionally less sophisticated. Both
could be mistaken for parts from the German Requiem. Ave Maria
is luminous and fluffy, like sunlit clouds. It goes from tender pianissimo
to powerful avowal. The music resembles softly rocking waves, yet is energetic.
The solemn organ-like accompaniment is typical Brahms.
The Purcell-style, string-less Begräbnisgesang takes after the
All Flesh is Grass movement from the Requiem. The morbid timpani
are persistent: reminders of Death. The dark, bass-rich music develops to
the heights of avid terror but then there comes a more lyrical, comforting
episode, where the timpani are quiet. The residual feeling is unexpectedly
positive.
Alto Rhapsody is the crown of the orchestral songs. It is part of my
personal “shrink-music”: try to listen first to it and then immediately
to the first movement of Brahms’ Second Symphony - nothing makes troubles
go away faster. The composition is in three sections. The first is like a
pregnant introduction, slow and tense. The aria-like second part is passionate,
very Romantic, depicting the soul torn by suffering. The chorus joins the
soloist in the third part - an emotive prayer, which turns the “poison”
back into “balsam”. Gradually comes the feeling of joy, and a
confidence that all will be well.
In Hölderlin’s Schicksalslied, the narrator laments the
fate of the mortals, comparing them to the eternal Gods. The music is twofold.
The first face is dreamy and ephemeral: it sings the blessed life of the Gods
in the Elysian heights, untroubled, unshaken. The second face is full of dramatic
turmoil and distress, as it pictures the life of the mere mortals, down below
- “like water flung from cliff to cliff”. There is a Dies irae-like
storm, with heavy accents; it reflects the instability of the present and
the terror of the future. The ending returns us to the worry-free world of
the Immortals.
Schiller’s Nänie tells us that beauty must die, and supports
this thesis with evidence from Greek mythology: Orpheus and Eurydice, Aphrodite
and Adonis, Thetis and Achilles. This is another echo of the German Requiem:
a most Brahmsian blend of confidence, consolation and commiseration. The writing
is robust; the chorus is powerful. This piece is more monolithic than its
neighbors, without their spikes and trenches; it rises and recedes like a
wave.
The Fourth Symphony peeks through the symphonic writing of Gesang der Parzen.
The music is stern and potent. Its structure is complex, rondo-like, kind
of an inversion to the Schicksalslied: more dramatic parts give way
to more lyrical. In the text, extracted from Goethe's Iphigenie auf Tauris,
the wise speak of the golden feasts of the Gods, and of the woes of those
who have been banished by them.
The performances are lean, light and powerful. The general approach is on
the slower side, which sometimes makes the music static. The Alto Rhapsody
is unhurried, even restrained - one of those readings that conquer you not
by concentrated stress, but by beauty. The solo alto singing is almost operatic;
Ewa Wolak’s voice is strong and even, without annoying vibrato. It stands
well in the big range requirements of the piece. A faster tempo could possibly
bring more excitement though the singer admirably copes with the slow tempo.
I still feel that the music became less dramatic and less natural as a result.
On the other hand, Wolak sings these long notes so beautifully, and makes
such lovely transitions between the notes, that I can understand that this
was probably a deliberate decision of the conductor, to let us relish her
singing. The climax of the third part is loud and very intense, but still
beautiful and dignified.
Schicksalslied is very persuasive; its tempestuous parts have plenty of
drama and impetus, and its ending glows. Nänie is radiant; the
beginning is too stately and lacking in motion, but maybe thanks to this starting
point the culmination sounds very solemn and mighty. If drive was lacking
in the Rhapsody, there is some to spare in Gesang der Parzen.
The entire piece just flies forward! The performance is youthful and bouncy
while not melting into pudding in more lyrical places. The orchestral interludes
have symphonic power.
The chorus has a beautiful sound, very good diction, and is well balanced.
It is firm and sturdy, yet can be transparent when needed. The orchestra is
deft, and blends well with the chorus. The woodwinds are very expressive.
The recording is spacious and clear, Naxos-style. The sound is full and majestic
especially when loud. Overall this project rejoices in a sense of freshness,
like clear water. If you like the feeling of being immersed in a sea of rising
and falling waves of a mighty chorus you should try this disc.
Oleg Ledeniov
Lean, light and powerful.
See also review by William Kreindler