Composer(s): Schoenfeld, Paul
Label: Naxos
Series: Milken Archive of American Jewish Music
Genre: Choral - Sacred; Concerto; Opera
Period: 20th Century
Catalogue No: 8.559418
Barcode: 0636943941829
Release Date: 08/2004

SCHOENFIELD: Viola Concerto / Four Motets / The Merchant and the Pauper

Celebrating the richness of traditional Jewish melodies, dances, and folklore, the music of Paul Schoenfield has at the same time been embraced by the world’s leading orchestras, conductors, and soloists. These WORLD PREMIERE RECORDINGS include the Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, commissioned/debuted by Robert Vernon (principal violist of the Cleveland Orchestra); the hauntingly beautiful Four Motets; and scenes from the mystical opera The Merchant and the Pauper, in which a supremely beautiful maiden stranded on an island wilderness is reunited with her betrothed-an allegory of the Jewish people and God, as related in an old Hassidic tale.

Tracklist

Schoenfeld, Paul
Vernon, Robert (viola)
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Berlin) (Orchestra)
Levi, Yoel (Conductor)
1I. Gan Tzippi07:47
Vernon, Robert (viola)
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Berlin) (Orchestra)
Levi, Yoel (Conductor)
2II. Soliloquy05:43
Vernon, Robert (viola)
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Berlin) (Orchestra)
Levi, Yoel (Conductor)
3III. King David Dancing Before the Ark05:41
Vernon, Robert (viola)
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Berlin) (Orchestra)
Levi, Yoel (Conductor)
Schoenfeld, Paul
Bible - Old Testament - Lyricist
BBC Singers (Choir)
Ital, Avner (Conductor)
4I. Lento flessibile, molto legato03:06
BBC Singers (Choir)
Ital, Avner (Conductor)
5II. Andante, sempre legatissimo e espressivo02:16
BBC Singers (Choir)
Ital, Avner (Conductor)
6III. Larghissimo ma flessibile02:15
BBC Singers (Choir)
Ital, Avner (Conductor)
7IV. Tranquillo03:44
BBC Singers (Choir)
Ital, Avner (Conductor)
Schoenfeld, Paul
Stearns, Margaret B. - Lyricist
Moss, Gary (baritone)
Sheffer, Isaiah (narrator)
University of Michigan Opera Chorus (Choir)
University of Michigan Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Kiesler, Kenneth (Conductor)
Wang, Pei Yi (mezzo-soprano)
Kent, Mark (bass)
Larson, Jennifer (soprano)
Meerdink, Christopher (tenor)
Oliphant, Tyler (baritone)
8Act II Scene 112:01
Moss, Gary (baritone)
Sheffer, Isaiah (narrator)
University of Michigan Opera Chorus (Choir)
University of Michigan Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Kiesler, Kenneth (Conductor)
9Act II Scene 4 (excerpt)03:06
Wang, Pei Yi (mezzo-soprano)
University of Michigan Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Kiesler, Kenneth (Conductor)
10Act II Scene 511:41
Kent, Mark (bass)
Larson, Jennifer (soprano)
Meerdink, Christopher (tenor)
Moss, Gary (baritone)
Oliphant, Tyler (baritone)
Wang, Pei Yi (mezzo-soprano)
Sheffer, Isaiah (narrator)
University of Michigan Opera Chorus (Choir)
University of Michigan Opera Orchestra (Orchestra)
Kiesler, Kenneth (Conductor)

Total Playing Time: 57:20