Search - Hans Werner Henze, Oliver Knussen, London Sinfonietta :: Henze: Undine, ballet in three acts (complete)

An exquisite score!

J. Anderson | Monterey, CA USA | 05/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This music by Henze!! An exquisitely realised score in every way, music maker composer/conductor Oliver Knussen sees and understands Everything in this extraordinary score, with fetching results guaranteed to please! Perfect music making by the London Sinfonietta, and again, an extraordinary over-arching design of the piece by Knussen, Master of the orchestra and the revelation of her secrets. Henze's marvelous patina of intelligence is poured over every square inch of music here, and there is such naturalness in the way the score unfolds. By Knussen's obsessive attention to the detail of both musical and theatrical palettes, he forges in this recording an integral understanding of a modern masterpiece. The score is like a veiled prize that these musicians audaciously and seductively unsheathe moment by moment; it's a shattering work, with shining DG sonics--- the vibrancy and transparency of the strings in the boat music in Act 2 alone is worth the price of this set. Harrowing and brilliant-- you'd have to be a mummy not to feel the thrill of this superb score and its expert craftsmen and women! Highest recommendation -- GET IT!"

Unusual ballet masterpiece

Mr. S. J. Moore | Hampshire, UK | 07/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Balletomanes may have heard some of Henze's more typical ballet scores and found them a little uneasy on the ear, although they always are exactly attuned to the choreography and with further listening rapidly become more appealing. This however, is a slightly different genre and even the first note sums up neatly what is to follow. I was lucky enough to see the ballet recently matched with Ashton's brilliant choreography (although it was originally criticised) and the music so struck a chord that I had to get a CD copy (not so straightforward). The CD set is masterful with Knussen paying attention to Henze's score in great detail and I could see the ballet in my mind's eye all over again.

For atonal music to have such instant power, appeal and to convey such a potent image of the ballet is incredible."