PAUL BEN-HAIM (1897-1984): Joram.

Description: Written in Munich in 1932-33 (when he was still Paul Frankenburger), this oratorio is based on a novel which itself was based on the Book of Job. Ben-Haim considered it his magnum opus. Modelled on Lutheran Passions (like Bach's), it is stylistically heterogeneous with neo-baroque trumpet arias, Stravinskiann neo-classical allusions, moments of Romantic operatic quality, "Orientalist" moments, polyphony insipired by the Medieval period... all adding up to a unique continuation of the great German sacred oratorio tradition. Lasting just under two hours, this live recording made last April was its first complete performance in Israel (after a 2008 Munich premiere). 2 CDs. German-English texts. Katharina Persicke (soprano), Carsten Süss (tenor), Bernd Valentin (baritone), Miklós Sebestyén (bass), Munich Motet Choir, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra; Hayko Siemens.