Heliogabalus Imperator - Works for Orchestra

by Hans Werner Henze / BBC Symphony Orchestra

The relationship between Hans Werner Henze and Oliver Knussen was one of great mutual respect. The German composer admired the British conductor and composer for electrifying performances of Henzes own and other composers works. Knussen was an untiring and enthusiastic champion of his friend Henzes music. The recordings collected here display Knussens deep understanding of Henzes music. Knussen conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in sensitive and meticulous performances of compositions ranging from the composers middle period to his last completed work. Los Caprichos transforms the bitterness and sarcasm in Francisco Goyas famous series of etchings into a tender and melancholy Fantasia per orchestra that makes only sparing use of contemporary stylistic devices. The large orchestral work Heliogabalus Imperator a programmatic depiction of the life and death of the notorious Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus also provides evidence of Henzes self-assured and idiosyncratic interpretation of modern music idioms. The Englische Liebeslieder for solo violoncello and orchestra express a wide range of emotional states, which are brought to life by cellist Anssi Karttunen.