Thomas Hampson believes Brahms, though allergic to religious thought, embraced profound spiritual humility towards God, making his 'Four Serious Songs' humanistic.
Interpretation
The practice of orchestrating older songs became popular in the 19th century, coinciding with the rise of the orchestral song genre.
Album & Artwork
The album title 'Tides of Life' is a metaphor for the inevitable and constant emotional movement of nature or fate, reflecting recurring elements of a journey in the selected songs.
Interpretation
Amsterdam Sinfonietta often performs as an ensemble of soloists without a conductor, which they describe as working like a 'big string quartet'.
Performer Biography
Thomas Hampson, the baritone on this recording, first collaborated with Candida Thompson and Amsterdam Sinfonietta in 1997 at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
Recording & Production
The album features new arrangements of songs by Brahms, Schubert, and Wolf, commissioned by Amsterdam Sinfonietta from English composer David Matthews.
Compositional Technique
Samuel Barber's 'Dover Beach' was originally composed for string quartet and baritone, and on this album, it is heard in an arrangement for baritone and string orchestra.
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