Richard Danielpour

Frederica von Stade's father was killed in war before she ever knew him. Half a century later, she honors his memory in the world premiere of a work by composer Richard Danielpour.

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Acclaimed mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade's father was killed in war before she ever knew him. Half a century later, she honors his memory in the world premiere of Elegies by composer Richard Danielpour.

Elegies is a song cycle for mezzo-soprano, baritone and orchestra that features a powerful score and a text based on the enduring love letters from a husband (von Stade's father) to his wife back home. Frederica von Stade, in the midst of a career that has taken her to the heights of the music world, is now remembering in song the father she never knew.

Elegies also features Thomas Hampson, perhaps the world's most highly praised baritone, representing von Stade's father, and the London Symphony Orchestra.

Danielpour is a composer with an ability to shape music that speaks in an original, expressive voice. He has established himself as one of the most gifted and sought-after composers of his generation. Richard Danielpour was one of three composers contributing a cello concerto to Yo-Yo Ma's Grammy-winning 1997 recording Premieres (SK 66299). The label has also released recordings of the composer's Concerto for Orchestra and Anima Mundi (SK 62822), with David Zinman conducting the Pittsburgh Symphony orchestra; and Celestial Night, Toward the Splendid City and Urban Dances (SK 60779), with Zdenek Macal conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra.

The new CD also features an acclaimed earlier work by Danielpour, Sonnets to Orpheus. The work is a six-movement song cycle for soprano and chamber ensemble and features the bright young soprano Ying Huang as soloist, and the Perspectives Ensemble. The text is from Rilke's Sonnets to Orpheus.

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SK 60850 - Available on CD

In stores May 15

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