Delius: A Mass of Life

Bergen Philharmonic Choir, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Bror Magnus Tødenes, Claudia Huckle, Collegium Musicum Kor, Edvard Grieg Kor, Gemma Summerfield, Håkon Matti Skrede, Roderick Williams, Sir Mark Elder

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A Musical Celebration of Life!

“For me, Delius’s music is particularly beautiful,” says Sir Mark Elder. “Delius was concerned with man’s relationship with the world around him. He explored and was inspired by the forces of nature, our dependence on it, and its function as a model for the good.”

Sir Mark Elder began his tenure as Principal Guest Conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra with a performance of Delius’s A Mass of Life, described by Elder as a rarely performed masterpiece and a celebration of the human spirit. It was while he was in the Norwegian mountains that Delius came across Nietzsche’s Also sprach Zarathustra, which became a direct inspiration for A Mass of Life. The result is a wonderfully expressive and strikingly beautiful musical celebration of life.

Sir Mark Elder is one of the leading conductors of our time, and is Music Director at the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester as well as Principal Guest Conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.

Roderick Williams is currently one of the most sought-after baritones, performing with leading orchestras and in renowned opera houses.

Gemma Summerfield is considered one of the most exciting young singers today, and sings both opera and concerts with orchestras.

Claudia Huckle is an in-demand contralto who sings with leading orchestras and has appeared on several critically acclaimed recordings.

Tenor Bror Magnus Tødenes has sung with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra on several occasions and is considered one of Scandinavia’s most gifted singers.

Three choirs participate in this recording, conducted by choirmaster Håkon Matti Skrede. These brilliant Bergen choirs have made a name for themselves with several major performances, not least Britten’s Peter Grimes, Wagner’s Parsifal, Brahms’s A German Requiem, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 2.


Sir Mark Elder
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Roderick Williams, Baritone
Gemma Summerfield, Soprano
Claudia Huckle, Contralto
Bror Magnus Tødenes, Tenor
Håkon Matti Skrede, Choirmaster
Bergen Philharmonic Choir
Edvard Grieg Kor
Collegium Musicum Kor

Tracklist

Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.
1.
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 1: I. Animato—O du mein Wille!
04:56
2.
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 1: II. Erhebt eure Herzen, Brüder, hoch! (Recitativ)
02:04
3.
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 1: III. Andante tranquillo con dolcezza—In dein Auge schaute ich jüngst
13:51
4.
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 1: IV. Agitato ma moderato—Wehe mir! Wo ist die Zeit hin?
03:01
5.
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 1: V. Andante molto tranquillo—Nacht ist es
08:20
6.
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: Introduction
03:42
7.
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: I. Con elevazione e vigore—Herauf! Nun herauf, du grosser Mittag!
03:54
8.
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: II. Andante—Süsse Leier! Ich liebe deinen Ton
05:07
9.
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: III. Lento molto—Lasst vom Tanzen ab, ihr lieblichen Mädchen!
18:58
10.
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: IV. Lento—Heisser Mittag schläft auf den Fluren
13:11
11.
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: V. Allegro ma non troppo—Gottes Weh ist tiefer, du wunderliche Welt
03:14
12.
A Mass of Life, RT II/4, Pt. 2: VI. Largo con solennita—Kommt! Lasst uns jetzt wandeln!
14:05

Total time: 01:34:23

Additional information

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SKU

LWC1265

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Original Recording Format

Release DateDecember 1, 2023

Press reviews

MusicWeb International

Clearly this is a very fine recording indeed from all the artists and technical team involved. However, the laurels rest with Mark Elder. His is a long and impressive discography with many recordings that have been justly praised. But this might just be one of his very finest achievements – he has galvanised this highly talented group to give a performance of genuine greatness. A slumbering giant awakens.

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