A near-hour’s worth of Brahms choral music might seem daunting to those familiar only with his at-times lugubrious German Requiem, but the four works in this new Chandos collection are relatively lighter (or at least much shorter) fare. Triumphlied begins in a brightly lit splendor reminiscent of Bach’s Magnificat. Gerd Albrecht leads a suitably boisterous reading, with enthusiastic singing from the Danish National Choir, accented by Bo Skovhus’ distinctive baritone timbre in the intermittent solo passages. The Ave Maria, featuring one of Brahms’ more beguiling melodies and choral writing remarkable for its fluidity and transparency, comes as a soothing respite.
Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny), probably the most familiar item on the disc, opens with some beautifully hushed choral singing balanced by finely nuanced woodwind playing. Albrecht conducts the dramatic allegro middle section with Beethovenian boldness, though the reticent brass takes some of the edge off the music. Sinopoli and Blomstedt, with their greater dynamic contrasts and sharper accents, offer more gripping accounts. Albrecht’s warmly romantic reading of the harmonically lush Nänie makes for a satisfying close to this well executed program. Throughout, the Danish National Symphony plays with precision as well as conviction. Chandos’ typically large-acoustic recording manages massiveness and impact without sacrificing clarity. [4/7/2004]
