Paul Hindemith: Sancta Susanna (1996)

Paul Hindemith composed Sancta Susanna as part of a trilogy, which also included Mörder, Hoffnung der Frauen and Das Nusch-Nuschi. These two works premiered in 1921, but Sancta Susanna was not performed because of its obscene content. A few years later, Hindemith decided to withdraw it because he now thought that it was too shocking.

The action takes place in a nunnery, where a nun, Sister Klementia, tells the younger and highly mystical Susanna a story she witnessed years before, when Sister Beata came naked into the church and embraced the crucifix; she was then walled up alive in punishment. Excited, Susanna identifies herself with Beata, undresses looking at the crucifix, and, when the mother superior steps in raving, asks to be walled up alive.

Tracklist

Sancta Susanna (Oper in einem Akt, op. 21)

Gesang (für Sopran und großes Orchester, op. 9)
I. Meine Nächte sind heiser zerschrien
II. Weltende Reinhören
III. Aufbuch der Jugend

Helen Donath, soprano (Susanna)
Gabriele Schnaut, alto (Klementia)
Gabriele Schreckenbach, alto (Alte Nonne)
Janis Martin, soprano
Damen des RIAS-Kammerchors
Radio-Symphonie-Orchesster Berlin
Gerd Albrecht, conductor

Wergo 60106-50

Important note:

It might be possible that a RAR file is located within another RAR file. If so, you're advised to extract each file and then repeat the process for the extracted files. Moreover, the original cover is now replaced with a better one. I couldn't add it to the archive, so I uploaded it as an image for this post. Just click on the above pic to enlarge and then select "save as".