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Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Thomas Søndergård – Prokofiev – Symphonies 1 & 5 (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 56:26 minutes | 1,71 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Linn Records
Thomas Søndergård’s sophomore album as Music Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra marks his first recording devoted to the symphony with the orchestra. Søndergård conducts an all-Prokofiev programme juxtaposing two contrasting symphonies: Symphony No. 1 in D major ‘Classical’ and Symphony No. 5 in B flat major. Prokofiev delights in paying homage to Haydn in his neo-classical masterpiece; its characterful melodies, freshness and overall joie de vivre have established Symphony No. 1 as enduringly popular. The Scotsman awarded the concert performed live in the 2018/19 season five stars, commenting that ‘the detail in this performance was breathtaking’. In contrast the Fifth Symphony was forged in the flames of war, and dedicated, Prokofiev said, to ‘the greatness of the human spirit’. Following a concert performance The Herald commented, ‘This was the conductor at his most energetic and impassioned, and it drew a corresponding performance from the orchestra.’ Prokofiev has been a key focus for Søndergård since 2016 and the conductor has announced plans to complete a symphonic cycle over four seasons with his orchestra.
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Thomas Søndergård and BBC National Orchestra of Wales – Sibelius: Symphonies 1 & 6 (2017)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:06:47 minutes | 1,11 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Linn Records
Their recording debut, Symphonies 2 & 7, revealed Søndergård to have a profound understanding of the great Finnish composer. Sibelius has been a major feature of Søndergård’s relationship with the BBC NOW since their debut eight years ago; their widely acclaimed Proms performance of the symphonies was a highlight.
Symphony No. 1 combines the best of Russian romantic orchestration and melodic magic with a distinctive Nordic character and wonderful contrasts of texture and colour.
In the Sixth, Søndergård’s detailed reading highlights the many felicitous touches in Sibelius’ writing and conjures heavenly tones from the strings in the closing bars.
This recording will cement their partnership as one of the great new Sibelius teams.
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Thomas Sondergard – Sibelius: Symphonies 2 & 7 (2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:02:35 minutes | 1,07 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Linn Records
Thomas Søndergård’s opening concert with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, at which Sibelius was the highlight, was hailed a triumph by audiences and press alike and marked a new era for the orchestra.Building on this triumphant debut the 2013 BBC Proms saw Søndergård and a reinvigorated BBC NOW win over the critics with their charismatic performance and formidable interpretations of 20th century repertoire.
Stating his intentions the new Principal Conductor was clear: I can’t wait to discover Sibelius all over again with my new orchestra.With their nationalist themes Symphonies 2 & 7 are perfect repertoire for Søndergård and his orchestra to make their symphonic recording debut.The Second Symphony marked a major step in Sibelius development as a composer, and remains one of his most popular works.Symphony No.7 is notable for being a one-movement symphony and is completely original in form, subtle in its handling of tempi,individual in its treatment of key and wholly organic in growth and is considered Sibelius most remarkable compositional achievement.
Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård is Principal Conductor of BBC NOW and Principal Guest Conductor of Royal Scottish National Orchestra; a rare honour to hold titled positions with two major British orchestras.His 13/14 season includes the Vale of Glamorgan Festival, Gregynog Festival, Cheltenham Festival, plus several dates at the BBC Proms including a performance of Sibelius Symphony No.5.His 2013 appearances at the BBC Proms (including Strauss An Alpine Symphony and Shostakovich Symphony No.11) received wide praise from both audience and critics.
The BBC NOW presents an annual season at St David’s Hall,Cardiff, where it is Orchestra-in-Residence, as well as concerts in venues across Wales and beyond; including annual performances at the BBC Proms and biannually at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World.
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Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Thomas Søndergård – Strauss – Ein Heldenleben, Der Rosenkavalier Suite (2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:07:53 minutes | 2,15 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Linn Records
This recording is the first in a new series with Thomas Søndergård and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
The programme features music by Richard Strauss: the concert suite from Der Rosenkavalier and Ein Heldenleben, a work they have performed together in concert to critical acclaim. The tone poem tells the epic story of an imaginary hero and offers a stirring introduction to the world of the German Romantics. Strauss demands uncompromising virtuosity from both the orchestra and the horn player who is tasked with portraying the bold hero. Following a concert performance of Ein Heldenleben in March 2018 The Scotsman stated: “From the swaggering confidence of Strauss’s bounding heroic theme to the gleefully grotesque carpings of his critics, Søndergård delivered a bold, utterly committed account – this is clearly music that matters to him.”
Closing the recording is the concert suite from Der Rosenkavalier in which Strauss’s colourful and evocative orchestration recalls many favourite moments from his most popular opera.
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Thomas Sondergard – Sibelius: Finlandia (2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:15:04 minutes | 2,47 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Linn Records
Described as ‘one of the great new Sibelian teams’ (The Herald), Thomas Søndergård and BBC National Orchestra of Wales continue their shared fascination with the orchestral music of Sibelius.
Released one month after BBC NOW celebrates its ninetieth anniversary, this recording includes many of Sibelius’ most famous masterpieces. Sibelius established his credentials early on with the tonally adventurous En saga, which brings to mind the excellence of Berlioz’ orchestral writing.
Sibelius’ successful foray into the impressionistic tone world of Debussy resulted in the haunting seascape of The Oceanides. Sibelius wrote it was ‘pure inspiration’ that led to the composition of the perpetually popular Finlandia, with its world-famous hymn motif.
The wonderfully descriptive Swan of Tuonela finds Sibelius at his mystical best as he casts the cor anglais as the majestic swan from Finnish mythology.
Sibelius: Finlandia is a fitting finale to this Sibelius series which also includes critically acclaimed recordings of four of his symphonies.
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