de Hartmann Thomas: Esther (The lost Opera) (2CD)

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and conductor Kirill Karabits, together with an outstanding cast led by Corinne Winters in the title role, present the world premiere recording of Thomas de Hartmann's lost opera "Esther". "Esther" was written and composed during the Nazi occupation of Paris, often by candlelight, as de Hartmann - a non-Jewish Ukrainian emigrant - witnessed the unfolding horrors of the Holocaust. He recognized parallels between these events and the biblical story of Esther as dramatized in Jean Racine's play, from whose text he adapted the libretto. "Esther" is perhaps the only major musical work composed at the time as a direct artistic response to the Holocaust. Bringing this long-neglected work back to life has been a rewarding endeavor, involving extensive study of the composer's manuscript score and the preparation of a new modern performance edition. This process required a close study of de Hartmann's orchestral writing and stylistic language. "Esther" is a distinctive work that bridges the gap between opera and oratorio and whose dramatic sweep is characterized by extended monologues, choral commentary and a triumphant final ensemble. Richly orchestrated, it reflects the entire spectrum of de Hartmann's artistic development - from his early training in St. Petersburg and the influence of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakoff, Anton Arensky and Serge Taneyev to his later creative periods in Munich and France and his search for a deeply personal musical language. "Esther", the composer's largest and most ambitious late work, is a summary of his eclectic, polystylistic approach and a compelling rediscovery for today's performers and listeners. This album is part of a Thomas de Hartmann series that aims to reintroduce the music of this composer.