FRANK MARTIN (1890-1974): Der Sturm.

Description: World premiere recording of Martin's only real opera, although some commentators consider it a play with music. There are no recitatives or arias and Schlegel's translation of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" is only slightly abridged, Martin dividing it into three acts instead of the play's five. The vivid characters demand and get from the composer an eclectic and glittering variety of orchestral characterization, from small groups of instruments to the full orchestral storm scene. Since the overture and Prospero's two monologues have long been recorded by themselves, you'll get at least some idea from them of what to expect but Prospero is only one facet of this rich dramatic and musical experience (Caliban's music sounds like a motif from a 50s science-fiction film soundtrack while to get an airy effect, Ariel's music is sung by an offstage mixed choir). 3 CDs. German-English libretto. Robert Holl (bass), Christine Buffle (soprano), Netherlands Radio Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra; Thierry Fischer.