´Szenen aus Goethes Faust´ a masterpiece after all?
Friday 25 September 2009
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Netherlands Radio Choir and National Children’s Choir have recorded Schumann’s Szenen aus Goethes Faust on a double SACD. Erik Voermans reviewed this recording in the Parool of 23 September 2009. According to him there is a ‘deeply rooted impression that Schumann’s oratorio is a failure.’
With this performance on the RCO Live label Nikolaus Harnoncourt and the musicians prove ‘that this impression urgently needs adjustment. Szenen aus Goethes Faust may even be a masterpiece…. ‘ Voermans considers this recording ‘orchestra wise… a direct hit’. To him, though, he described the vocal soloists as ‘the good (but not perfect) cast’.
In his final judgement the reviewer awards four (out of five) stars.
Buy this CD here.
