Deutsche Sinfonie Op 50
(Naive)
The Choir and Orchestra of Radio France give this moving performance of Eisler’s longest orchestral work. Eisler composed most of this 11- movement epic in exile between 1935 and 1947, setting communist poetry to music of dark moods. The choir is involved throughout, often in ping-pong dialogue with a soloist as in the punchy Arbeiterkantate, where they alternate whispered phrases with the excellent bass Kurt Rydl. As the Cold War stand-off becomes a memory, Eisler grows in recognition as one of the great German composers. And here is his greatest work.
RICK JONES