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Daniel Börtz: His Name Was OrestesRoyal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra Orchestra, Alan Gilbert Conductor
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Writing an extended secular oratorio in this day and age is a quixotic enterprise for all but the most renowned or well-connected composers; the genre, which requires soloists, chorus, and orchestra, is expensive to produce and is not much in favor with orchestras and audiences. Daniel Börtz, one of Sweden's leading composers, has the standing with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra to be able to bring off large projects like his 90-minute oratorio His Name Was Orestes, even though the piece is unlikely to have much international currency. It's an entirely respectable work, using a comprehensible harmonic language with a conventional, shapely dramatic arc, and music that matches the moods of the text, which is mostly very dark. The oratorio rewards close attention with its intelligence, inventive orchestration, dramatically evocative tone painting, and lyrical, skillful text setting, not surprising qualities from as successful an opera composer as Börtz has proven to be. As musically imaginative as the oratorio is, though, it tells its very extensive story (a condensation of the three plays of Aeschylus' Oresteia) so episodically that it ultimately fails to generate much human interest in its sketchily drawn characters. Some gripping musical highlights include the encounter between Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, Cassandra's poignant prophecy and lament, and the chorus that opens the second section. The set also includes a fine performance of Börtz's recorder concerto, whose tone is surprisingly dark given its title of A Joker's Tales. The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and Eric Ericson Chamber Choir, led by Alan Gilbert, perform the oratorio with commitment and passion. The vocal soloists are consistently excellent and bring a real sense of drama to the work. The sound of BIS' live recording is lively and clear, with good balance. © Stephen Eddins, Rovi
Portions of Content Provided by All Music Guide.
© 2008 All Media Guide, LLC. All Music Guide is a registered trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.
© 2008 All Media Guide, LLC. All Music Guide is a registered trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.
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Daniel Börtz ComposerHans namn var Orestes (His name was Orestes), oratorio in 2 parts WorkRecorded 2004
1:27:48
Eric Ericson Choirmaster,
Esa Ruuttunen Bass,
Ingrid Tobiasson Mezzo-Soprano,
Eric Ericson Chamber Choir Chorus/Choir,
Adrian Dolata Soprano,
Annalena Persson Soprano,
Anders Larsson Baritone,
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra Orchestra,
Anita Björk Actor,
Carl-Henric Qvarfordt Actor,
Marianne Eklof Mezzo-Soprano,
Bo Wannerfors Vocals,
Olle Persson Baritone,
Anna Larsson Alto,
Johan Christensson Actor,
Alan Gilbert Conductor
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| 1 | Part 1 Prologue: Herden tog till sitt hem en spad (The herdsman took to his home) (Herdsman) | 4:20 |
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| 2 | Part 1 Scene 1: Det tionde aret fullbordat sitt lopp (Ten years had passed) (Choir Leader) | 3:16 |
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| 3 | Part 1 Scene 2: Hephaistos, eldens gud (Hephaestus, god of fire) (Clytemnestra, Choir, Choir Leader) | 8:53 |
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| 4 | Part 1 Scene 3: Agamemnon! (Choir, Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, Choir Leader) | 8:51 |
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| 5 | Part 1 Scene 4: Kassandra (Cassandra) (Choir, Cassandra) | 12:08 |
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| 6 | Part 1 Interlude: De himmelska stod Agamemnon bi (The heavens aided Agamemnon) (Choir Leader) | 0:31 |
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| 7 | Part 1 Scene 5: Tva ganger slog jag till (Twice I struck) (Choir, Clytemnestra, Aegisthus) | 5:55 |
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| 8 | Part 1 Epilogue: Hor, lever ej Orestes nagonstans? (Listen, is not Orestes alive somewhere?) (Choir) | 3:17 |
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| 1 | Part 2 Prologue: Elektra (Electra) (Choir, Electra, Leader of the Choir) | 8:22 |
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| 2 | Part 2 Scene 1: Den karaste du har, star framfor dig (What is dearest to you stands before you) (Orestes, Electra, Choir Leader) | 4:44 |
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| 3 | Part 2 Scene 2: Jag ar en framling (I am a stranger) (Orestes, Clytemnestra, Chilissa, Choir Leader, Janitor) | 7:20 |
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| 4 | Part 2 Scene 3: Dagen har grytt! (Day has dawned!) (Choir, Orestes, Choir Leader) | 3:15 |
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| 5 | Part 2 Scene 4: Dom mig nu skyldig eller frikann mig (Find me guilty, or find me innocent) (Orestes, Athena, Choir, Choir Leader, Apollo) | 5:19 |
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| 6 | Part 2 Scene 5: Ve er, ni unga gudar! (Woe unto you, ye young gods!) (Choir Leader, Choir, Athena) | 9:24 |
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| 7 | Part 2 Epilogue: Herden tog till sitt hem en spad (The herdsman took to his home) (Herdsman) | 2:13 |
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Daniel Börtz ComposerEn gycklares berättelser (A Joker's Tales), concerto for recorder & orchestra WorkRecorded 2002 |
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| 8 | En gycklares berättelser (A Joker's Tales), concerto for recorder & orchestra | 20:16 |
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