KARL AMADEUS HARTMANN (1905-1963): Simplicius Simplicissimus.

Description: Completed in 1935, premiered on radio in 1948 and revised in 1955, this opera is based on a novel from 1669 set during the Thirty Years War in which a Parsifal-like young boy wanders through the violence, destruction and social degradation caused by the war (the parallels with the composer's situation in Nazi Germany are plain). The music is tonal although strongly influenced by the expressionism of the Second Viennese School. 2 CDs. German libretto. Live recording Dec. 11, 2005. Camilla Nylund (soprano), Christian Gerhaher (baritone), Will Hartmann (tenor), Michael Volle (bass), Die Singphoniker, Munich Radio Orchestra; Ulf Schirmer.