Sir Simon Rattle is joined by virtuoso soprano Barbara Hannigan for a modernist programme that showcases the immense capabilities of the London Symphony Orchestra.

At the heart of this concert is The Rite of Spring. Once decried, it is now a cornerstone of orchestral repertoire and considered by many to be the greatest work of the 20th century. Its elemental nature is best summed up by Stravinsky, who, in an unaccustomed moment of humility, said that he didn’t feel he was the composer of the piece, but simply the vessel through which it passed. Sir Simon Rattle says: ‘I’ve been conducting it since I was 19...it’s one of those pieces that reminds you what the shock of the new is about and it’s still one of the great challenges and one of the great thrills to perform.’

To accompany Stravinsky’s magnum opus Rattle chose music from the Second Viennese School. Webern’s Six Pieces for Orchestra was given a ‘richly expressive and pictoral performance', while Barbara Hannigan, appropriately dressed in a blood red gown, embodied the role of Marie in three fragments from Berg’s potent opera Wozzeck. As well as the Berg, Hannigan also debuted a now famous version of one of her party pieces, Ligeti’s kaleidoscopic Mysteries of the Macabre. Channeling Gepopo, the crazed chief of police from Le Grand Macabre, in three arias, this display of coloratura pyrotechnics drew gasps as well as laughter from the enthralled audience.

Composers Stravinsky, Ligeti, Berg, Webern
Conductor Sir Simon Rattle
Soloists Barbara Hannigan
Performers London Symphony Orchestra

Webern:
1. Six Pieces, I. Etwas Bewegte Achtel
2. Six Pieces, II. Bewegt
3. Six Pieces, III. Zart Bewegt
4. Six Pieces, IV. Langsam, Marcia Funebre
5. Six Pieces, V. Sehr Langsam
6. Six Pieces, VI. Zart Bewegt

Berg:
7. Three Fragments from 'Wozzeck': I. Soldaten Soldaten
8. Three Fragments from 'Wozzeck': II. Und ist Kein Betrug
9. Three Fragments from 'Wozzeck': III. Ringel Ringel Rosenkranz

Ligeti:
10. Mysteries of the Macabre

Stravinsky:
11–18. The Rite of Spring, I. L'adoration de la Terre
19–24. The Rite of Spring, II. Le Sacrifice

Release date 24 November 2017
LSO3028 | 822231302896

Director Olivier Simonnet
Audio Producer Nicholas Parker
Filmed at the Barbican Hall, January 2015

Format
Blu-ray + DVD | 2 disc standard Blu-ray case
Audio 2.0 stereo | 16 bit 48 kHz PCM
Notes in En, Fr, Ge
Total playing time: 125m