Michael Tilson Thomas & San Francisco Symphony
Release Date: 18 November 2013
Label: Avie Records
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 821936005828
Genres: Classical Orchestral
Composer/Series: Beethoven
Description
Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony pair Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 and the Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II, expertly abetted by the superb San Francisco Symphony Chorus and an international quartet of soloists.
Beethoven's colossal Cantata on the Death of Emperor Jospeh II for chorus, soloists, and orchestra, and his playful, upbeat Second Symphony combine on this powerful live recording by 15-time Grammy Award-winning San Francisco Symphony and Chorus. Rarely performed and recorded, the gripping and profoundly moving funeral cantata, composed by a teenage Beethoven, proved a revelation during MTT's and the Symphony's May 2013 Beethoven Project. Presented as a premium audio hybrid SACD, this release joins the growing critically acclaimed discography of Beethoven recordings by MTT and SFS.
Personnel: San Francisco Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas (conductor), Sally Matthews (soprano), Tamara Mumford (mezzo-soprano), Barry Banks (tenor), Andrew Foster-Williams (bass-baritone), San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Ragnar Bohlin (chorus director)
Critical acclaim for Michael Tilson Thomas' and the San Francisco Symphony's Beethoven series:
"The great splendor of this performance was the work of Ragnar Bohlin's Symphony Chorus, which brought tonal luster and emotional fervor to its assignment...The concert concluded with a crisp, sleekly shaped performance of the Second Symphony, recorded live for later release...It promises to be a keeper." - San Francisco Chronicle
"The Seventh is given a brilliant, vibrant performance, with balanced tempos, opulent sound, and unflagging energy." - Fonoforum
"A satisfying recording of a masterwork...and a pleasing memento of what today's San Francisco Symphony sounds like." - San Francisco Classical Voice
Tracklisting
Catherine Redding, Northwest Sinfonia and Choir, Clyde Mitchell
Cantata Collective, Nicholas McGegan
Benjamin Hochman
Theatro
Maxim Rysanov Evelyn Chang
Inon Barnatan
David Fruhwirth & Henri Sigfridsson
Andrew Maginley
Michael Tilson Thomas & San Francisco Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas & San Francisco Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas & San Francisco Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas & San Francisco Symphony
