Wolf: Orchesterlieder & Penthesilea

Album Description

Dive into the captivating world of Hugo Wolf's orchestral songs and his dramatic masterpiece "Penthesilea" with this exquisite album. Released in 2022, this collection showcases the depth and richness of Wolf's compositional genius, featuring a stunning array of orchestral lieder and a powerful dramatic work. The album opens with a selection of songs from Wolf's "Mörike-Lieder" and "Goethe-Lieder," each meticulously arranged for voice and orchestra, offering a profound exploration of the human condition through the poetry of Eduard Mörike and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The standout pieces include "Schlafendes Jesuskind," "Prometheus," and the hauntingly beautiful "An den Schlaf."

The album also features the complete orchestral version of Wolf's dramatic work "Penthesilea," a gripping retelling of the mythical queen's tragic tale. This three-part orchestral suite, performed by the Jenaer Philharmonie under the baton of Simon Gaudenz, is a tour de force of orchestration and dramatic intensity. The suite includes "Aufbruch der Amazonen nach Troja," "Der Traum Penthesileas vom Rosenfest," and the climactic "Kämpfe, Leidenschaften, Wahnsinn, Vernichtung," each movement showcasing Wolf's mastery of orchestral color and dramatic narrative.

Soprano Benjamin Appl delivers a tour-de-force performance, his voice soaring above the lush orchestration with remarkable clarity and expressiveness. The Jenaer Philharmonie, conducted by Simon Gaudenz, provides a rich and nuanced accompaniment, bringing out the full depth and complexity of Wolf's scores. This album is a testament to the enduring power of Hugo Wolf's music, offering a compelling journey through his orchestral songs and dramatic works. With a duration of just under an hour, it's a perfect introduction to Wolf's orchestral repertoire, or a welcome addition to the collection of any classical music enthusiast.

May 6, 2022

2022 CPO

About Hugo Wolf

Hugo Wolf, born in 1860 in what is now Slovenia, was an Austrian composer who left an indelible mark on the world of art songs, or Lieder, during the late Romantic era. Known for his intense and expressive compositions, Wolf's music is celebrated for its psychological depth and dramatic scope. Influenced by the likes of Wagner, Liszt, and Schubert, his unique style brought a concentrated expressive intensity to the Lied form, setting it apart from other works of the time.

Wolf's life was marked by both brilliance and struggle. He battled depression and syphilis, and his tumultuous personal life earned him the nickname "der wilde Wolf" — the wild Wolf. Despite these challenges, he produced a body of work that includes masterpieces such as the Goethe Songbook and the Mörike-Lieder, which continue to captivate audiences with their themes of love, passion, and fairy tales. His influence on the German Lied is profound, and his compositions remain a cornerstone of the genre. Wolf's legacy endures, not just through his music, but also through his letters and the enduring impact he had on fellow composers like Gustav Mahler. His untimely death in 1903 at the age of 42 cut short a career that had already achieved so much, leaving behind a rich musical heritage that continues to inspire and move listeners.