Galina Ustvolskaya; Francis Poulenc - Symphony No. 5; La voix humaine (Franz Welser-Möst)

Information

Composer: Galina Ustvolskaya; Francis Poulenc

• Ustvolskaya - Symphony No. 5, "Amen"
• Poulenc - La voix humaine, FP 171

Tony F. Sias, reciter

Sarah Aristidou, soprano

Cleveland Orchestra

Franz Welser-Möst, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: The Cleveland Orchestra

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This recording pairs two emotionally charged 20th-century works that examine faith, loss, and resilience, recorded live at Severance Music Center under conductor Franz Welser-Möst. Francis Poulenc’s monodrama La voix humaine stars soprano Sarah Aristidou in a poignant, searing portrayal of a woman enduring a final phone call with her departing lover. Complementing Poulenc's intimacy is Galina Ustvolskaya’s stark, enigmatic Symphony No. 5, “Amen,” featuring Tony F. Sias as reciter. Ustvolskaya presents an unsettling, austere setting of The Lord’s Prayer, completing a program defined by deep psychological vulnerability, dramatic power, and striking spiritual reflection.

Franz Welser-Möst (b. 1960, Linz) is an Austrian conductor renowned for his long tenure as Music Director of The Cleveland Orchestra, a post he has held since 2002 and will continue until 2027, making him the orchestra’s longest-serving director. Initially a violinist, he turned to conducting after a car accident ended his violin studies. With Cleveland, he has expanded repertoire, revived opera, launched a recording label and streaming platform, and attracted one of America’s youngest classical audiences. Internationally, he maintains a close partnership with the Vienna Philharmonic, including three New Year’s Concerts. He has received numerous prestigious awards and honors.

High Resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz