Bernstein: Trouble in Tahiti

The Münchner Rundfunkorchester is continually expanding its expansive repertoire of classic-romantic orchestral music as well as the key works of the classical modern era to include compositions that build a bridge to the genre of film scores and light classics. The flexibility of the orchestra, which can adapt to the widest imaginable variety of idioms on the highest quality level, has earned it the status of an exceptional ensemble on the orchestral horizon. Under its artistic director, Ulf Schirmer, it also presents itself on this CD as a charismatic advocate for enjoyable genre cross-over. No composer fits this pattern better than Leonard Bernstein. Both his West Side Story as well as the suite of Symphonic Dances extracted from the score number amongst the absolute Bernstein classics. A rarity, on the other hand, is the short one-act opera Trouble in Tahiti. The way the gaping abyss behind an upscale bourgeois marriage is exposed both musically and dramatically is funny, striking, thrilling – and far too infrequently heard! Including a bonus: Elgin Heuerding in conversation with Ulf Schirmer.