I’d like another go at…

Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem

Elizabeth Norberg-schulz (soprano) et al; San Francisco Symphony Chorus & Orchestra/blomstedt Decca 4437712

We got a Grammy for this recording so I think it was considered quite good, but when I heard it again some years afterwards I felt, no, that is not the way I would like to do it today. I have different feelings about the tempos. It was very well sung and although the chorus members weren’t German they were well trained so it sounded like a German chorus. But I would like another type of diction and much more feeling of the text. George Bernard Shaw didn’t like the German Requiem at all, which is strange because it’s wonderful music and it is the greatest work that Brahms ever wrote – not only for length, but in content and depth. A few days ago I met with Paul Smaczny, head of the Accentus label, and he suggested this piece to me. He wants to record it again and I welcome the idea very much.