Brahms Rhapsodie, Schicksalslied, Gesang der Parzen etc

Philippe Herreweghe/Orchestre des Champs-Elysées/Collegium Vocale Gent/Ann Hallenberg contralto

PHI/Outhere LPH 003

A new independent label with great promise, to which Philippe Herreweghe is committed, was launched with his affectionate and winning performance of Mahler 4 [LPH 001].

Having deeply entrenched memories of an early recording of the Alto Rhapsody which I treasured on 78s (Sigrid Onegin, 1929 !) I welcomed a chance to hear it again and there is no let down.

This is an invaluable collection of rarer Brahms probably never before brought together, and a most welcome diversion from his music in more popular genres.

Good notes; unusual images, all the words and translations in clear black-on-white. One to get and keep a watch on how the label develops.

Peter Grahame Woolf