Anna Patalong, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Alwyn: Miss Julie (2020) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

‘Why has this intense, brilliantly orchestrated, claustrophobically gripping masterpiece been so neglected since its 1977 premiere?’ asked Richard Morrison in The Times of the concert performance in the Barbican that preceded this recording.

Miss Julie is Alwyn’s last large-scale work, written in 197376. Alwyn set his own libretto, based on Strindberg’s 1888 play of that title. The naturalistic drama and lifelike characters of that play appealed to Alwyn from an early age – in fact, he previously attempted to compose an opera on Miss Julie in the 1950s. That attempt failed, because of differences with his then librettist, Christopher Hassall. Alwyn believed that in opera, the action should be self-explanatory, arias should serve a dramatic purpose (as opposed to sheer vocal display), characters should sing to each other and not to the audience, ensembles should be minimised and the text should be set to vocal lines that reflect natural speech patterns. These views were distilled over his extensive career as a film composer, which taught him that music could do more than establish characterisation, suggest mood, and heighten atmosphere: in some cases it could also communicate the unspoken thoughts of an onscreen character even when these were at odds with what he or she was presenting visually.

Sakari Oramo and the BBC Symphony Orchestra support an outstanding cast featuring Anna Patalong in the title role in this acclaimed revival of Alwyn’s neglected masterpiece.

Sakari Oramo has shown an interest in little-known repertoires on several occasions. In the early 2000s he was involved in the rehabilitation of music by John Foulds (Warner Classics), a major figure in early 20th century England, particularly owing to his two masterpieces, the Dynamic Triptych and the Three Mantras. Before that, in the 1990s he unveiled several astonishing works by the Finnish composer Ernest Pingoud (Ondine). It’s a lovely surprise to find him at the head of the BBC Symphony Orchestra here conducting this recording of the magnificent opera Miss Julie. This was William Alwyn’s last major work, composed from 1973 to 1976 with a libretto written by the composer himself based on August Strindberg’s play (1888). The opera is essentially in the style of realistic theatre as since a young age Alwyn had been fond of the very realistic characters in Strindberg’s play. The original idea for Miss Julie dates back to the 1950s but due to the creative differences between Alwyn and his librettist at the time, Christopher Hassall, concerning the rapport between text and music, the opera wasn’t completed until the mid-20th century. Indeed, in terms of music, Miss Julie showcases the full extent of Alwyn’s unique talent in both his poetry and his theatrical effectiveness. His talent is, of course, evident in his orchestral masterpiece Symphony No. 3 as well as the Sinfonietta that he composed later in 1970, and there are echoes of Bernard Herrmann’s Wuthering Heights in his vocal prosody and atmospheres. After the war, Alwyn’s career as a film composer took off, allowing him to consolidate his ideas and perfect the art of creating mood and atmosphere. Miss Julie was the pinnacle of his life as a composer – a captivating work which deserves many listens, as is equally the case for his other great works. – Pierre-Yves Lascar

Tracklist:
Disc 1 (01:00:49)
1. The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 1: Orchestral Introduction. Allegro (01:04)
2. Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 1: Miss Julie Is Crazy (01:36)
3. Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 1: But the Count (04:41)
4. Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 1: By God, I’m Thirsty! (03:18)
5. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 1: Kristin, Kristin, Kristin! (02:28)
6. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 1: Well, I’ve Travelled Around (04:28)
7. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 1: There’s a New Dance Starting (02:01)
8. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 1: You Know Why I Came Here Tonight? (01:48)
9. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 1: Midsummer Night, O, Night of Magic (03:38)
10. Rosie Aldridge, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 1: I’m Ready, Jean! (00:38)
11. The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 2: Orchestral Introduction. Andante sostenuto (02:32)
12. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 2: Kristin, Kristin (03:45)
13. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 2: Now You Can Kiss My Hand (02:33)
14. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 2: That Wouldn’t Do, Either (03:51)
15. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 2: I Have No. Time for Dreams (02:02)
16. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 2: Would You Like Me to Dance (00:52)
17. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 2: Playing with Fire (01:57)
18. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 2: You Don’t Know What It Is to Be Poor (01:42)
19. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 2: But You Can Rise, Jean (01:55)
20. Benedict Nelson, Samuel Sakker, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 2: A Lady Went a-Roaming (03:00)
21. Benedict Nelson, Samuel Sakker, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 2: She’s the Queen of the Dance (01:52)
22. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 2: You Can Come Out Now (01:51)
23. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 2: I Know, I Know (04:02)
24. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act I Scene 2: I Can’t, Not While We’re Still in This House (03:15)

Disc 2 (53:52)
1. The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: Orchestral Introduction. Lento (02:37)
2. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: Never Again! (03:32)
3. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: Now Don’t Lose Your Head (03:34)
4. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: Scum on the Surface of Water (03:20)
5. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: If You Want Me Again (04:06)
6. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: If I Only Had Enough Money (02:35)
7. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: You Sound So Cruel, Jean (01:36)
8. The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: Orchestral Interlude. Allegro precipitoso (00:59)
9. Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: Has She Gone? (00:47)
10. Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: Whatever You Say, I Know You Were Here with the Mistress (01:38)
11. Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: Class Is Class, and Don’t You Forget It (01:22)
12. Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: We’ll Get Married (01:02)
13. Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, Samuel Sakker, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: A Pretty Domestic Scene! (01:05)
14. Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, Samuel Sakker, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: I Knew I Was Right! (01:40)
15. Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, Samuel Sakker, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: There’s Someone Upstairs (01:45)
16. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, Samuel Sakker, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: I’m Ready Now, Jean (02:07)
17. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, Samuel Sakker, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: What the Devil Is That? (01:51)
18. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: He’s Killed Her, Killed Her! (02:33)
19. Anna Patalong, Rosie Aldridge, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: You’re Mad! You’re Both Mad! (04:55)
20. Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: Well, Well! So You’re Going to Elope! (01:15)
21. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, Rosie Aldridge, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: The Count’s Back! (01:09)
22. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: You Can Go, but I Can’t (03:56)
23. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: I Must Be Dreaming (02:30)
24. Anna Patalong, Benedict Nelson, The BBC Symphony Orchestra & Sakari Oramo – Miss Julie, Act II: Kiss Me. Before I Go! (01:58)

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