4 + 4 = ∞ : Laws of Solitude
This is a fascinating experiment, for sure
This is a fascinating idea: the same piece, twice, once with piano and once with orchestra. Surely Richard Strauss' famous orchestrational ability is what makes this piece so special? Those autumn hues as he prepares to say goodbye to life?
Soprano Asmik Gigorian is no stranger to Classical Explorer: we saw her at Wigmore Hall, in Puccini's Il Trittico on DVD/Bluray, and as part of the fabulous film Fuoco Sacro. In all here is n inane musicality, beautiful voice, and perhaps most importantly, a ferocious curiosity. Hence this fascinating idea ... how will the two Vier letzte Lieder stand up to each other?
The conundrum (if such there is) is perhaps exacerbated by Mikko Frank's reativvely swift tempos; the old man doing the leave-taking still clearly has a spring in his step. That doesn't mean there is a lack of expression, especially in the orchestral outburst at the opening of the fourth song. Thing is, the protagonist doesn't feel particularly lonely, or even reflective. Grigorian's contribution is fabulous, as one might expect from this singer, and in keeping with the orchestra, she never over-eggs her pudding her. Her voice is closer to Schwarzkopf's than Jessye Norman's in this piece, for sure.The soloist of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France excel at even turn, from woodwind to solo violin to horn. Here's the first song:
Immediately shifting to voice and piano (Markus Hinterhuber), the effect puts the spotlight much more firmly on the voice. Particularly as the piano recoding sounds oddly muted; a shame, as Hinterhuber is a fine pianist. He also, being a solo player, is able to sprinkle in more rubato than Frank. But listen to "Beim Schlafengehen" to get an idea of how this alternative view takes the music to more interior spaces, a journey more of the mind than body. Here's the two, one after the other::
... and, if anything, the final moments, now piano only, of "Im Abendrot," sound even more poignant here:
This is a fascinating experiment, for sure, Here's the Amazon link for CD, and here's the link for LP.
The music sounds astonishingly differ in 'September,' fa space, more modern: