Singapore Symphony Orchestra - Herrmann: Suite from Wuthering Heights; Echoes for Strings (2023)

Bernard Herrmann is widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most important composers, responsible for more than fifty film scores (in addition to his work for TV, radio, and the concert hall), and noted for his collaborations with Orson Welles and, later, with Alfred Hitchcock. Welles was unofficially involved with Robert Stevenson’s film of Jane Eyre in the 1940s, and it was Welles that suggested Herrmann as composer for the project. Herrmann became obsessed with all things Brontë, and within months was writing to friends of his plans to write an opera on Wuthering Heights. It took him eight years to complete the vocal score, using a libretto written by his wife, Lucille Fletcher. Although he conducted a recording of the work, in 1966, he failed to see a live production in his lifetime. Although the opera features eight solo roles, Cathy and Heathcliff dominate the action and are the only singers in Hans Sørensen’s Suite of excerpts – recorded here for the very first time. Keri Fuge and Roderick Williams take the vocal roles in this recording. Echoes was composed in 1965 for string quartet, and was later arranged for string orchestra by Hans Sørensen – the version heard on this album. The recording was made in the Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore.

Tracklist:
01. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): I. Prologue. The Snow and Wind - Oh, Cathy! Come in. Oh, come in
02. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act I, Scene 1: II. I have been wandering through the green woods
03. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act I, Scene 1: III. Do you remember the day you first came to Wuthering Heights!
04. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act I, Scene 1: IV. On the moors, on the moors
05. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act I, Scene 1: V. Look, the moon
06. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): VI. Interlude (Nocturne)
07. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act I, Scene 2: VII. I am the only being, whose doom no tongue would ask
08. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act II: VIII. I have dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me for ever
09. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act IV: IX. Meditation
10. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act IV: X. Heathcliff. Heathcliff
11. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act IV: XI. Will you say so, Heathcliff!
12. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act IV: XII. Open the window. Let me breathe the wind
13. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act IV: XIII. Death of Cathy - I shall not leave you, you are my soul
14. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act IV: XIX. Largo assai
15. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act IV: XV. May she wake in torment!
16. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act IV: XVI. Lento
17. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act IV: XVII. Heathcliff! Heathcliff! Let me in
18. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act IV: XVIII. Oh, Cathy! Come in, oh come in!
19. Suite from "Wuthering Heights" (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen): Act IV: XIX. Adagio tenebroso
20. Echoes (Arr. for Soprano, Baritone, and Orchestra by Hans Sørensen)