Product Description
Simone Kermes (soprano), Stéphanie Houtzeel (alto), Markus Brutscher (tenor) & Arnaud Richard (bass)
MusicAeterna & The New Siberian Singers & Novosibirsk Opera Chamber Choir, Teodor Currentzis (director)
An absolute masterpiece in the history of music, intrinsically linked to the Mozart myth, Mozart’s Requiem is revisited under the energetic baton of director Teodor Currentzis with the excellent Siberian choir and orchestra MusicAeterna. A fascinating, striking interpretation, reinforced by a remarkable distribution of soloists: Simone Kermes, Stéphanie Houtzel, Markus Brutscher and Arnaud Richard. Thanks to optimal recording conditions (7 days of studio recording) led by Hugues Deschaux (responsible for recording Le Poème Harmonique, Café Zimmermann…), the interpretation is enriched by the particular care with which the sound was recorded.
After the success of his Dido & Aeneas (ALPHA140) and Shostakovich Symphony No. 14 (ALPHA159), Currentzis is back with a marvellous repertoire: Mozart’s Requiem.
‘If his narcissism doesn't get the better of him, Currentzis could be one of those rare artists capable of shifting the ground of his chosen art, and pulling off something extraordinary - perhaps even miraculous.’ The Telegraph
“in a word it is electrifying...from the opening bars of the Introitus it is evident that this is period-instrument playing of world calibre. Making good use of authentic instruments, the string playing is lean, crisp and punchy...The New Siberian Singers turn out to be an exceptionally well-drilled and lithe choir with superb ensemble...I cannot remember hearing the 'Dies Irae' sung more thrillingly or the 'Lachrimosa' so laceratingly sad.” International Record Review, May 2011
“This is a dramatic, rough-edged, bass-instrument-heavy account, but his ideas are thought-provoking and occasionally surprising: a bells-only accompaniment to the fragmentary Amen of the Lacrimosa is the only significant departure from the Süssmayr edition...The Siberian Chorus sings lustily in glottal Latin, but the soloists...are all accomplished stylists.” Sunday Times, 1st May 2011 ***
