A compelling new recording has arrived, casting a revelatory light on the complex final chapter of Igor Stravinsky's monumental career. Led by the precise and vital conductor Daniel Reuss, the album Igor Stravinsky: Late Works sees the Noord Nederlands Orkest and Cappella Amsterdam collaborate to breathe fresh colour and life into music from the composer's most intellectually austere period.
The Austere Beauty of Stravinsky's Final Period
In his later years, well into his 70s and 80s, Igor Stravinsky became deeply fascinated by the rigours of serialism. For the composer, this technique served as both a means to distill his musical ideas to their essence and a profound intellectual challenge. While some contemporary audiences found the results stark, this new recording compellingly argues for the music's hidden self-effacing purity and beauty.
The album, released on the Pentatone label, presents four major works that define this era. It opens with the 1954 piece In Memoriam Dylan Thomas, an extended and impassioned setting for solo tenor of the poet's famous line, "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night." This is followed by the 1958 masterpiece Threni, a spiny and multifaceted jewel which sets text from the Book of Lamentations.
A Haunting and Bristling Finale
The collection is completed by two of Stravinsky's very last compositions: the haunting Introitus from 1965 and the bristling Requiem Canticles from 1966. These substantial works are interspersed with shorter pieces, including an unpretentious Lord's Prayer and the severely cerebral, two-minute Elegy for JFK.
The instrumental performance by the Noord Nederlands Orkest is noted for its fearlessly crisp and clean articulation. However, it is the characterful and nuanced vocals of Cappella Amsterdam that truly draw the listener's ear, providing the human element that animates this spellbinding and intricate music.
A Prime Contender in a Specialist Field
This recording stands as a significant achievement in a niche area of the classical catalogue. The state-of-the-art sonics ensure every detail of Stravinsky's intricate writing is captured with clarity, making this release a prime contender for anyone seeking to understand the composer's final artistic statements. Kudos is due to Daniel Reuss for his masterful direction, which successfully teems with colour and light, inviting a wider audience to discover the profound depths of Stravinsky's late genius.
