Vladimir Jurowski, London Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir - Julian Anderson: In lieblicher Blaue, Alleluia & The Stations of the Sun (2016) [Hi-Res]

This recording features one of today's most sought-after conductors, Vladimir Jurowski, who was appointed Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 2007, with many of his recordings on the LPO Label being chosen for special mentions by BBC Music Magazine and Gramophone Magazine. As Composer in Residence from 201014, Julian Anderson has a close affinity with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and this album is a celebration of his time at the LPO. This is Julian's second release on the LPO label, featuring premiere recordings of Alleluia and In lieblicher Bläue. Two of the three pieces on this album were composed specially for these musicians: Alleluia for the London Philharmonic Choir, the LPO and Vladimir Jurowski to perform at the re-opening concert of the Royal Festival Hall in June 2007, and In lieblicher Bläue for Carolin Widmann, one of the leading violinists of her generation. This recording of In lieblicher Bläue is taken from its world premiere performance at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on 14 March 2015. The recordings of Alleluia and The Stations of the Sun are also taken from live concert recordings at the Royal Festival Hall in March 2014 and December 2013 respectively.

„Julian Anderson spent four fruitful years as resident composer with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. This, the second disc of his work on the LPO label, includes persuasive recent performances under Vladimir Jurowski of Alleluia, the substantial choral work Anderson wrote for the 2007 reopening of the Royal Festival Hall, and The Stations of the Sun (1998). But the highlight is In Lieblicher Bläue, captured at its premiere last year, a violin concerto in all but name. Inspired by Hölderlin's poetic image of a steeple against a bright blue sky, Anderson uses a brilliant orchestral palette to create sonorities that dazzle, suggesting intense colour and almost blinding sunlight. Above and through all this, Carolin Widmann's violin soars serenely. On a recording we lose some of the theatre Widmann had to walk on to the platform playing, then swap her bow for a pencil, then play with her back to the audience but the piece is equally strong without it.“(Guardian)

Carolin Widmann, violin
London Philharmonic Choir
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski, conductor