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 Sorensen’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 Sorensen – 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.

Suite from 'Wuthering Heights' for Soprano, Baritone and Orchestra

1. I Prologue. The Snow and Wind. Allegro tumultuoso 6:54

2. II Act I, Scene 1. Allegretto pastorale (molto tranquillo) 8:00
(Cathy: 'I have been wandering through the green woods') - with Heathcliff

3. III Act I, Scene 1. Sunset. Moderato 3:21 (Cathy: 'Do you remember the day you first came to Wuthering Heights!') - with Heathcliff

4. Act I, Scene 1. Andante con moto (molto moderato) 5:23 (Heathcliff: 'On the moors, on on the moors')

5. IV Act I, Scene 1. Lento tranquillo (Cathy: 'Look, the moon') 2:56 with Heathcliff

6. V Interlude (Nocturne). Lento assai 3:07

7. VI Act I, Scene 2. Adagio, molto espressivo e triste 3:35 (Heathcliff: 'I am the only being, whose doom no tongue would ask')

8. VII Act II. Adagio tranquillo 2:41 (Cathy: 'I have dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me for ever')

9. VIII Act IV. Meditation. Andante con malinconia 2:21

10. Molto lento (Cathy: 'Heathcliff. Heathcliff') - with Heathcliff 3:21

11. Act IV. Allegro molto moderato (agitato e appassionato) 3:41
(Cathy: 'Will you say so, Heathcliff!') - with Heathcliff

12. Act IV. Molto moderato ma liberamente 2:31 (Cathy: 'Open the window. Let me breathe the wind')

13. IX Act IV. Death of Cathy. Molto moderato e molto tranquillo 2:07 (Cathy: 'I shall not leave you, you are my soul')

14. Act IV. Largo assai (tenebroso) 0:51

15. X Act IV. Allegro feroce 1:36 (Heathcliff: 'May she wake in torment!')

16. XI Act IV. Lento, molto sostenuto e tempestoso 1:07

17. XIII Act IV. Adagio (tenebroso) 0:58 (Soprano Voice: 'Heathcliff! Heathcliff! Let me in')

18. XIII Act IV. Lento, molto sostenuto e tempestoso 4:00
Molto appassionato (Heathcliff: 'Oh, Cathy! Come in, oh come in!') - with Soprano Voice

19. XII Act IV. Adagio tenebroso 1:18

20. Echoes 20:22 for String Quartet, adapted 2011 for String Orchestra by Hans Sorensen

Moderato e mesto -
Valse lente - Moderato -
Lento - Moderato
Allegro - Moderato

Total Disc Time: 80:24