Barbara Hannigan, Raoul Steffani, Camerata RCO & Rolf Verbeek - Sehnsucht (Live in Rotterdam) (2022) [Hi-Res]

"Sehnsucht", a central and nearly untranslatable word of the Viennese fin-de-siècle period, referring to aspects of longing, melancholy, and nostalgia. During the Covid-19 pandemic, a collective "Sehnsucht" arose, in performers and audiences alike. "This programme was given in the empty concert hall of De Doelen in Spring 2021. We decided to issue the recording as an album, recognizing that the performance also represents continuity and mentorship through music. Both young Dutch artists, conductor Rolf Verbeek and baritone Raoul Steffani are associated with the initiatives Equilibrium and Momentum, and joined me and the Camerata RCO for this intimate journey… In "Sehnsucht", we explore two song cycles of Berg, written shortly after Mahler’s 4th Symphony. All these works are presented in special arrangements for chamber ensemble. The Berg Songs are expanded from their original voice and piano to a dialogue of new colours and instrumentation. Mahler’s 4th Symphony is reduced to an intimate soloistic journey, a tender conversation" (Barbara Hannigan).