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 Carl Orff: Prometheus / Leitner, Greindl, Et Al
Release Date: 05/31/2005 
Label:  Arts Music   Catalog #: 43007   Spars Code: ADD 
Composer:  Carl Orff
Performer:  Roland HermannJosef GreindlKieth EngenRaili KostiaHeinz Cramer
Edda MoserSophia Van SanteColette LorandFritz Uhl

Conductor:  Ferdinand Leitner
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cologne West German Radio Symphony Orchestra

Number of Discs: 2 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 2 Hours 7 Mins. 

CD  $24.98
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Notes & Reviews   Works on This Recording  
 Notes & Reviews Back to Top 
Carl Orff's Prometheus completes his trilogy of Greek tragedies, the two earlier works being Oedipus the Tyrant and Antigone. This is the only one actually set in the original Greek (the other two use German translations), and it's good to have this impressive 1972 studio performance back in the catalog, as there isn't likely to be another--nor, frankly, do we need one. The work contains just as much dialog as music, and the latter is stripped to the bone: simple rhythms with lots of metallic percussion, mostly in short bursts. Even the singing, usually some form of syllabic chant, is very minimally accompanied. There's also plenty of action for wind and thunder machines, recreating what Orff took to be the story's primal ambiance. The cast is excellent, led by Roland Hermann's tormented Prometheus. Josef Greindl as Kratos (Power) spits out the words with terrifying force, and as Io, Colette Lorand's shrieks will have your neighbors calling the police.

In short, this really is a piece for confirmed Orffnicks, but that doesn't lessen the impressiveness of Ferdinand Leitner's achievement in committing it to disc. The 1972 sonics have come up well in this transfer, save for a touch of distortion at the loudest climaxes. Arts Music provides an English-only version of the libretto in the accompanying booklet, which is useful since most people can't read Greek--and the only serious competition, Kubelik's equally fine 1975 live set on Orfeo with largely the same cast, isn't so generous. [6/13/2005]

--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com
 Works on This Recording Back to Top 
1.  Prometheus by Carl Orff
Performer:  Roland Hermann (Baritone), Josef Greindl (Bass), Kieth Engen (Bass),
Raili Kostia (Alto), Heinz Cramer (Bass), Edda Moser (Soprano),
Sophia Van Sante (Mezzo Soprano), Colette Lorand (Soprano), Fritz Uhl (Tenor)
Conductor:  Ferdinand Leitner
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cologne West German Radio Symphony Orchestra
Written: 1966 
Date of Recording: 1972 
Length: 127 Minutes 28 Secs. 
Notes: This selection is sung in Classical Greek. 
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