Two of Grieg’s most popular works on a single CD. The ‘Peer Gynt’ excerpts are more extended than those normally encountered on the suites, incorporating both choruses (in ‘In The Hall of the Mountain King’, for example) and songs (those of Solveig). To finish, Marriner directs one of the freshest performances of the zestful ‘Holberg Suite’.
EDVARD GRIEG
Peer Gynt, Op. 23: Incidental Music to Ibsen’s Play (excerpts):
Prelude to Act I
Prelude to Act II: Ingrid’s abduction and lament
In the hall of the mountain king
Dance of the mountain king’s daughter
Aase’s death
Prelude to Act IV: Morning mood
Arabian dance
Anitra’s dance
Solveig’s song
Prelude to Act V: Peer Gynt’s homecoming
Song of the church-goers
Elly Ameling, soprano
Geraldine Walther, viola
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
Edo de Waart
Holberg Suite, Op. 40:
Praludium: Allegro vivace
Sarabande: Andante espressivo
Gavotte: Allegretto – Musette
Un poco piu mosso – Gavotte
Air: Andante religioso
Rigaudon: Allegro con brio
Kenneth Sillito, violin
Stephen Shingles, viola
Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
Neville Marriner