The recording is taken from concerts in the orchestra's home auditorium, Severance Hall, on January 11-13 of this year. Joining conductor and players were the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and soloists soprano Measha Brueggergosman, mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor, tenor Frank Lopardo and bass Ren_ Pape. (Pape is already a DG artist, and the label recently signed Brueggergosman.)

The U.S. spokesperson for DG said that, in principle, the label and the Cleveland Orchestra hope and expect to work together on further projects, although no further plans have yet been finalized.