Schoenberg

Moses und Aron (In English)

Lewis, Robinson, Lanigan, Kelly, Jones; Solti
London, 1965

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Moses und Aron

Moses und Aron is certainly a more challenging work than Wozzeck both dramatically and musically. The music lacks the atavistic romanticism of Berg's score and the drama does not have the same kind of power. That is not to say that this opera is any less of a satisfying experience. The colors Schoenberg creates have an otherworldly quality much like the Rite of Spring. For example, in the opening scene Moses is depicted speaking to God through the burning bush. Schoenberg sets the voice of God as a six voice choir juxtaposed with a chorus of children singing in Sprechstimme. The effect is mesmerizing. Although I have seen this opera live twice now, I don't think it has ever really made sense to me until I came across this performance. This is due mostly to the fact that it is sung in English. When you hear Sprechstimme in your native tongue you will find that the style begins to make sense and Forbes Robinson, as Moses, seems devoted to the idea of approaching this style as if it were a spoken play with music underneath even to the detriment of his otherwise mellifluous bass voice. Richard Lewis's charismatic tenor makes him a wonderful counterpart as Aron to the otherwise taciturn Moses. The rest of the cast includes such notable up-and-coming singers as Maureen Guy, Yvonne Minton, Gwyneth Jones and Delme Bryn-Jones. It is to Sir Georg Solti's enormous credit that he would not only tackle this very thorny score but he could find music and even at times lyricism within it.

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Graham R.✓ Verified Buyer

United Kingdom

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Graham Roe

Good to hear this
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James M.✓ Top Reviewer

United Kingdom

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James Mertins

One of the greatest nights at the Garden.Solti made this music singable,it's even better than his Decca recording and thats saying something. The cast is stunning.Pity we don't have a video, for Peter Hall's production went all out to mount the piece for what it was.
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Nigel B.✓ Verified Buyer

United Kingdom

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Nigel Benson

Terrific in english
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David F.✓ Verified Buyer
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David Fetz

Nice cast of “virgins”.
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James M.✓ Verified Buyer
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James Mertins

This was one of the great performances from Solti during his time at the ROH, it showed the company had the goods. This performance is better than the later recording with Solti on Decca.
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