Classical Music Album: Metamorphosen

This powerful reading of Richard Strauss’s moving, sombre and inspirational Metamorphosen is my go-to CD of the month. Its twenty-eight minutes is poignant given what is happening in Ukraine.

Composed in 1945, as a reaction to the horrors of the second world war, and the desecration of German culture, Strauss’s Metamorphosen for twenty-three solo strings seems to look backwards to the German romantic tradition (a trait even more evident in his Four Last Songs of 1948). The moving final passage marked ‘In Memoriam,’ leaves the listener to contemplate in silence.

John Wilson’s sumptuous strings make a powerful statement. It is gripping, full of intensity and the emotional voice speaks strongly. The twenty-three performers capture the theme so beautifully in the heart wrenching melodic lines.

The frenetic climaxes draw the listener into the music, and the Sinfonia of London capture the poetic sentiment brilliantly. The final diminuendo seizes then holds us in an intense embrace helped along through Chandos’ recording engineers who have not let Wilson down. There is a spacious feel to the recording.

If not moved by the agonising passion and feeling of Metamorphosen then both the Schreker and Korngold will continue to tug at those heart strings. The Intermezzo, the oldest piece on the disc has equally excellent arching string music full of textual richness and its lilting passages are brought off with assurance and ease.

Korngold composed his Symphonische Serenade following his return to Vienna from Hollywood after the Second World War, and shortly before he wrote his Symphony in F sharp. Korngold effortlessly conjures a vivid range of colours and textures from his large forces (32 violins, 12 violas, 12 cellos, and 8 basses) in a work that explores the virtuosity of the players to the full. Its beautiful lively opening moves into some stunning quiet playing before leading us into a second movement with well-controlled pizzicato playing.

All three pieces are given accomplished performances by the Sinfonia of London.

Superlative is an adjective all too frequently used these days but for this CD it is apt in describing the musicianship that leaves the listener craving more quality playing.

Recommended.