[BR][OF] Mahler - Symphony No. 8 (Warsaw Philharmonic) - 2011 (Classical)

1. Part I, Veni, creator spiritus: Veni, creator spiritus - 00:01:26
2. Part I, Veni, creator spiritus: Imple superna gratia - 00:04:05
3. Part I, Veni, creator spiritus: Infirma nostri corporis - 00:02:21
4. Part I, Veni, creator spiritus: Tempo I: Allegro, etwas hastig - 00:01:18
5. Part I, Veni, creator spiritus: Infirma nostri corporis - 00:03:09
6. Part I, Veni, creator spiritus: Accende lumen sensibus - 00:05:01
7. Part I, Veni, creator spiritus: Veni, creator spiritus - 00:03:53
8. Part I, Veni, creator spiritus: Gloria sit Patri Domino 00:02:43
9. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Poco adagio - 00:05:46
10. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Piu mosso: Allegro moderato - 00:02:57
11. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Waldung, sie schwankt heran - 00:04:14
12. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Ewiger Wonnebrand - 00:01:28
13. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Wie Felsenabgrund mir zu Fussen - 00:04:27
14. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Gerettet ist das edle Glied - Hande verschlinget euch - 00:00:52
15. Part II, Jene Rosen, aus den Handen - 00:01:46
16. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Uns bleibt ein Erdenrest - 00:02:11
17. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Ich spur' soeben nebelnd um Felsenhoh' - Hier ist die Aussicht frei - Freudig empfangen wir - 00:01:09
18. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Hochste Herrscherin der Welt! - 00:04:28
19. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Dir, der Unberuhrbaren - Du schwebst zu Hohen der ewigen Reiche - 00:03:51
20. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Bei der Liebe, die den Fussen - 00:00:55
21. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Bei dem Bronn, zu dem schon weiland - 00:01:24
22. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Bei dem hochgeweihten Orte - 00:02:34
23. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Neige, neige, du Ohnegleiche - 00:00:52
24. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Er uberwachst uns schon - Vom edlen Geisterchor umgeben - 00:03:26
25. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Komm! Hebe dich zu hohern Spharen! - Blicket auf zum Retterblick, alle reuig Zarten - 00:08:10
26. Part II, Final Scene from Faust: Alles Vergangliche ist nur ein Gleichnis 00:06:25

The DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound track aids a work like this immensely. The sense of hall space and the depth of the orchestra and chorus was effectively conveyed. The soloists were spread across the center stage and each was clearly recorded. Although listeners outside of Poland, will be unfamiliar with these singers, these are high quality voices that work beautifully in ensemble. The large choral forces are a little distant but in live performance, they must be placed well behind both singers and orchestral players. The balance from top to bottom is exemplary. The overall sonic picture serves the score well throughout.
Gustav Mahler was nearing the end of his life and composing career when he penned this massive choral symphonic work in 1906. It premiered in Munich in 1910, a year before Mahler’s death. While the Eighth Symphony, also known as the “Symphony of a Thousand,” may not actually engage 1000 musicians, this premiere issue in High Definition 96 kHz/24-bit surround sound, features 8 soloists and 4 choirs. The work has two contrasting sections, the opening hymn, “Veni, Creator Spiritus,” and the concluding final scene from Goethe’s Faust. It was intended to provide an overwhelming musical and spiritual experience, and to this end, Mahler largely succeeds. Antoni Wit, the director of the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra in this recording, has become not only one of Poland’s leading musicians but, through his many recordings, has achieved a world class status. His eight soloists, three sopranos, two altos, a tenor, baritone, and bass are nearly all Polish nationals, the exception being American tenor Timothy Bentch. This performance, initially issued in 2006 as a standard CD, was recorded in Warsaw Philharmonic Hall.... Blu-rayDefinition.com. May 2011