Among the late, great works by Bohuslav Martinu, one of the latest and greatest was his opera The Greek Passion. It absorbed him for most of the last five years of his life, it was premiered after his death, and it had all that was best of him in it, his lyricism, his luminosity, his humanity, his love. Setting Nikos Kazantzakis' novel, Martinu wrote the text in English and composed the music in the effortless, passionate, gorgeous, and glorious style that was all his own. In this unsurpassed recording led by Charles ...
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Among the late, great works by Bohuslav Martinu, one of the latest and greatest was his opera The Greek Passion. It absorbed him for most of the last five years of his life, it was premiered after his death, and it had all that was best of him in it, his lyricism, his luminosity, his humanity, his love. Setting Nikos Kazantzakis' novel, Martinu wrote the text in English and composed the music in the effortless, passionate, gorgeous, and glorious style that was all his own. In this unsurpassed recording led by Charles Mackerras, The Greek Passion is as compelling as the most profound works of musical theater and compassionate as the most ecstatic religious service. Mackerras leads a superb cast featuring John Mitchinson, Helen Field, and John Tomlinson, plus soloists from the Welsh National Opera in a performance that makes living Martinu's demotic reanaction of the passion ritual. The Brno Philharmonic Orchestra strives mightily and with deep dedication, and if it cannot quite reveal the radiant colors...
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