HERRMANN Suite from Wuthering Heights / Echoes for Strings

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 in Surround Sound, and is available as a Hybrid SACD and in Spatial Audio.

Adapted 2011 by Hans Sørensen from the Lyric Drama in Four Acts and a Prologue. Libretto after the Novel of Emily Brontë by Lucille Fletcher

Keri Fuge, soprano (Cathy)
Roderick Williams, baritone (Heathcliff)
Singapore Symphony Orchestra
Mario Venzago, conductor

Echoes (20:22)
Adapted 2011 for String Orchestra by Hans Sørensen

Singapore Symphony Orchestra
Joshua Tan, conductor

CHANDOS RECORDS CHSA 5337
Release Date: 30 June 2023
SACD
Total Time 80'24"
Digital UPC: 5059864533730
CD UPC: 095115533727

Recorded at the Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore, May 2022 (Wuthering Heights) and Aug 2020 (Echoes)