Des Knaben Wunderhorn
Animal, 2021
8/10
Listen to Des Knaben Wunderhorn
The horn player Radek Baborák aligns himself with Kateřina Kněžíková, MarkétaCukrová, and Adam Plachetka here, as they interpret songs by Gustav Mahler from Des Knaben Wunder, which results in a colorful and intimate chamber experience.
“Der Tamboursg’sell” opens the listen with firm drumming and majestic brass as the deep, expressive vocals guide the rich opener, and “Verlorne Muh!” follows with graceful strings and soaring vocals to complement the meticulous beauty.
Further into the listen, “Rheinlegendchen” emits a playful and dynamic blend of bouncy strings in a very energetic landscape, while “Urlicht” moves sublimely, with moody instrumentation that flows with much emotion. “Lob Des Hohen Verstands” then radiates vivid storytelling amid an upbeat and warm mix of strings, brass and glorious singing.
Approaching the end, “Das Himmlische Leben” floats with a dreamy appeal of cinematic sounds and “Adagietto (From Symphony No. 5)” exits the listen with a soulful, stirring and intimate delivery.
A truly captivating body of work. the many players on hand make for an orchestral, classical and symphonic journey that twists and turns with incredible flow and a timelessness that you’ll be immediately drawn to.
Travels well with: Radek Baborák- Pauer, Gliere: Horn Concertos; Tomáš Sýkora- Songs For Orchestra