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Schumann: Paradise and the Peri on SACD

Jordi Savall's latest recording of Robert Schumann's Paradise and The Peri is a triumph of musical storytelling and interpretative depth. This oratorio, inspired by Thomas Moore's Lalla Rookh, follows the Peri-a fallen angel-as she seeks redemption by offering the most precious gift from each realm of existence: a drop of blood from a warrior, a sigh from a lover, and a tear from a repentant sinner. Schumann's lush, Romantic score weaves these episodes into a tapestry of emotional intensity, blending choral grandeur with intimate solo passages. Savall's direction breathes new life into this rarely performed masterpiece. His meticulous attention to phrasing and dynamics reveals the work's poetic subtleties, while the orchestral and choral forces under his baton deliver both power and delicacy. The soloists shine, capturing the Peri's yearning and the narrative's dramatic arcs with nuance. The recording's clarity and balance allow Schumann's intricate textures to resonate fully, from the celestial choruses to the tender, introspective arias.