Beethoven componeerde de balletmuziek Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus in 1801, tussen zijn eerste en tweede symfonie in. Het was zijn eerste grote werk voor toneel, en werd redelijk ontvangen, maar een doorslaand succes was het zeker niet. De ouverture is het bekendst waarvan Beethoven het thema later hergebruikte voor de finale van de Eroica en de Eroica-variaties voor piano. Het op authentieke instrumenten spelende Armonia Atenea onder leiding van George Petrou laat horen dat Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus het verdient om veel vaker in zijn geheel gehoord te worden, ondanks dat de zestien delen na de ouverture geen duidelijke eenheid vormen.
Beethoven: The Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43
Armonia Atenea, George Petrou
As part of a major partnership with Parnassus Arts (which previously brought Handel’s Alessandro and ROKOKO, the January 2014 solo album from Max Emanuel Cencic), this is the first album from the Athens-based orchestra and their conductor.
Rejecting academic coolness, Armonia Atenea, under the baton of conductor George Petrou, injects dramatic energy and bright colour to Beethoven’s bold ballet score
Beethoven’s ballet music was written in 1801 (between the First and Second symphonies) and the theme from the overture provided the subject for the finale of the Eroica Symphony and Eroica Variations
Based on the Greek fire-stealing myth, the story of The Creatures of Prometheus is conveyed with music full of drama and verve, but was the only ballet score that Beethoven wrote
Armonia Atenea and George Petrou’s Decca recording of Handel’s Alessandro has received numerous accolades including the Stanley Sadie Handel Recording Prize, the ‘Complete Opera CD of the Year Award’ at the International Opera Awards, a nomination for the Opera of the Year by viewer of Mezzo TV, as well as being singled out by Classica, Diapason, Fono Forum and the BBC Music magazine
“For all the star quality, the performance remains a supremely ensemble effort, singers and instrumentalists striking sparks off each other under the energised and energising musical direction of George Petrou.” BBC Music magazine (of Alessandro)
Tracks
Disc 1
1. Overture (Original Version)
2. Introduzione. La Tempesta. Allegro Non Troppo (Original Version)
3. No.1 Poco Adagio (Original Version)
4. No.2 Adagio - Allegro Con Brio (Original Version)
5. No.3 Allegro Vivace (Original Version)
6. No.4 Maestoso - Andante (Original Version)
7. No.5 Adagio - Andante Quasi Allegretto (Original Version)
8. No.6 Un Poco Adagio - Allegro (Original Version)
9. No.7 Grave (Original Version)
10. No.8 Allegro Con Brio (Original Version)
11. No.9 Adagio (Original Version)
12. No.10 Pastorale. Allegro (Original Version)
13. No.11 Coro Di Gioja. Andante (Original Version)
14. No.12 Solo Di Gioja. Maestoso - Adagio (Original Version)
