Search - H.W. Henze :: Raft of Medusa

Masterpiece

kelsie | Plainview, Texas United States | 11/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Das Floss der Medusa" is unquestionably one of the most difficult works ever produced by a Twentieth Century composer. The vocal lines are astoundingly complex and require a range almost double that of ordinary singers. Both La Mort (soprano voice) and Jean-Charles (tenor) must reach their highest respective registers, and Jean-Charles must often make leaps from his middle range to the higher registers. Edda Moser (La Mort) and Deitrich Fischer-Dieskau (Jean-Charles) both tackle these enormous roles with an almost effortless grace. This recording is of the rehersal that took place on the day before the work's premiere. That premiere never took place due to rioting and demonstrations by the public against the work. Therefore, this recording is the only one in existence of "das floss der medusa." Under the direction of the composer himself, the ensembles and soloists render this revolutionary work almost flawlessly. Charles Regnier (Charon, the narrator) is chilling in his role, and the orchestra and various choirs (3!) work exceptionally hard to pull off the unique atmosphere of this highly charged work. A must have for any 20th-Century enthusiast."

Good.

kelsie | 10/03/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a highly atmospheric and gripping work by Henze and although the recording was made some time ago it still holds up well. The voices are particularly firm and find no difficulty in scaling the difficult and angular lines of Henze's powerful and compelling work."