Strauss - Strauss: Ein Heldenleben

In a very short time, Yannick Nezet-Seguin has become one of the most sought-after young conductors in the world, popular with orchestras and audiences alike. Recently named as Music Director Designate of the Philadelphia Orchestra, he succeeded Valery Gergiev as Music Director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra in 2008. He is also Chief Guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. On this the second of four projected discs for BIS, the Rotterdam Philharmonic here perform two of Richard Stauss' most popular works: The tone poem Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life) has often been described as an autobiographical work. The six interwoven sections describe themes of hope, love and courage, with a scherzo that mocks the hero's enemies and a final climax that sees the hero withdraw from the world fulfilled. The Four Last Songs were the last works that Strauss composed before his death in 1949, and throughout the works, the pervading mood is one of death and transience. The Rotterdam Orchestra are here joined by Dorothea Roschmann, who has built a reputation on the opera stage as one of the most admired present interpreters of Mozart and of lieder. He [Yannick Nezet-Seguin] makes the Rotterdam Orchestra sound word-class.The TimesListen to her in lieder... and you're equally aware of the worldly emotions she is capable of conveying.The Guardian on Dorothea Roschmann