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Ruth on CD

The German composer Georg Schumann (1866-1952) is already well represented in the cpo catalog, with two symphonies, several orchestral works, two chamber music productions, a lied recital, and a piano recital - a collection that offers an unrivaled overview of this significant composer's output. Now, this impressive catalog is enriched with Schumann's undisputed magnum opus: the oratorio Ruth, for four soloists, choir, and orchestra, based on the eponymous book of the Old Testament. The premiere of this work on December 9, 1908, in Hamburg was a tremendous success, with enthusiasm spreading rapidly across the Atlantic to the United States. Conceived, it seems, as an ethical counterpart to the decadent Salome by Schumann's contemporary Richard Strauss, this "hymn to love" is now experiencing a glorious revival after nearly eight decades of neglect.