Bollon / Staatskapelle Halle Strauss, Richard (1864-1949) - Josephslegende - Import CD

Credits:

Bollon / Staatskapelle Halle Strauss, Richard (1864-1949)

Description:

Richard Strauss's ballet "The Legend of Joseph" was created in 1914, at a time of world unrest due to World War I. Impressed by a performance by Diaghilev's Russian Ballet Company (Ballets Russes) in 1912, the poet Hoffmanstahl conceived the idea of writing a work for the ballet company. Together with his friend Count Kessler, he prepared a libretto based on the Old Testament story of Joseph, a young man who falls on hard times because he refuses to be seduced by the wife of Potiphar, the chief chamberlain of the Egyptian royal court, and asked Strauss to compose music for it. The first music he composed was in the style of the 18th century, reminiscent of Mozart. Hoffmanstahl, who envisioned having Nijinsky dance this ballet, was not satisfied with this music, but revised the script with Kessler, and after reinspiring Strauss, who was reluctant to compose, he finally produced an exotic sound with a large orchestra that even included a contrabassoon. The result is a sparkling work that incorporates the full range of exotic sounds of the large orchestra, which even includes a contrabassoon.However, trouble followed, as Nijinsky left the ballet company at the time of the premiere, and the leading role was danced by Leonid Machin. In fact, Strauss did not appreciate the young machine, but even so, the premiere at the Paris Opera on May 14, 1914, was a success, and Strauss received a grand curtain call after the performance. The opera then enjoyed a brief period of popularity in London, where it was performed six times under the baton of Thomas Beecham. Although it was never performed during the war, the work was performed in many places after the war, leading to a reappraisal of the work. Conductor Fabrice Boron, who is also active as a composer and arranger, spins sensuous sounds from the Staatskapelle Halle. *The domestic edition comes with a Japanese commentary by Daisuke Hirose. Naxos Japan