Album

The music of Aribert Reimann (born 1936), one of the most prominent German composers of the second half of the twentieth century, is notable for its graphic and very effective depiction of bleakness. His most famous opera is based on King Lear, and the desolation and existential despair of the play are ideally suited to the composer's expressive palette. The works recorded here, two for baritone and orchestra and one for baritone and piano, are based on texts by Paul Celan and are evidence of the same grim aesthetic. Zyklus and Kumi Ori, the orchestral pieces, are stylistically virtually indistinguishable, even though they were written almost 30 years apart. Each begins with an extended solo for the singer, who is eventually joined by sparse, jagged accompaniment. Reimann's vocal lines are angular and tormented, but he writes with an understanding of what is and is not possible for the human voice to reasonably do. Reimann is clearly skilled at creating sound worlds of relentless, crushing angst; it will depend on the listener's temperament whether or not he or she will want to accompany him on his dark journey. Baritone Yaron Windmüller negotiates the grueling vocal part with security and manages to sustain a full, warm tone, but his vibrato is a little wide. The Saarbrucken Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Günter Herbig, and pianist Axel Bauni play with appropriately dark, atmospheric expressiveness.

© Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

CD 1
Aribert Reimann Composer Zyklus, for voice & orchestra Work 23:35 Gunther Herbig Conductor, Axel Bauni Piano, Saarbrucken Radio Symphony Orchestra Orchestra, Yaron Windmuller Baritone
1	Einmal, da hörte ich ihn...	2:40			$0.99
2	Aschenglorie hinter deinen...	4:16			$0.99
3	Am weissen Gebetriemen...	4:09			$0.99
4	Du darfst mich getrost...	3:40			$0.99
5	Hinterm kohlegezinkten Schlaf...	5:52			$0.99
6	Fadensonnen über der grauschwarzen Ödnis...	2:58			$0.99
Aribert Reimann Composer Kumi Ori, for voice & orchestra Work 22:18 Gunther Herbig Conductor, Axel Bauni Piano, Saarbrucken Radio Symphony Orchestra Orchestra, Yaron Windmuller Baritone
7	Es stand (Hebrew version)	3:03			$0.99
8	Es stand (German version)	3:39			$0.99
9	Psalms 122, 79 and 74	6:15			$0.99
10	Denk Dir	4:59			$0.99
11	Du sei wie du, immer	4:22			$0.99
Aribert Reimann Composer Die Pole sind in uns, for voice & piano Work Gunther Herbig Conductor, Axel Bauni Piano, Saarbrucken Radio Symphony Orchestra Orchestra, Yaron Windmuller Baritone
12	Die Pole sind in uns, for voice & piano	9:39			$1.49