domingo, 21 de abril de 2024
quarta-feira, 27 de março de 2024
KORNGOLD : Das Wunder Der Heliane (John Mauceri · RSO Berlin Chorus · Rundfunk Chor Berlin · Anna Tomowa-Sintow) (1993) APE (image+.cue), lossless
Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957)
Das Wunder Der Heliane · The Miracle Of Heliane: Oper In Drei Akten 2:47:48
CD1 Erster Akt · Act One 56:04
CD2 Zweiter Akt · Act Two 1:01:25
CD3 Dritter Akt · Act Three 50:19
Conductor – John Mauceri
Orchestra – RSO Berlin
Chorus – Rundfunk Chor Berlin
terça-feira, 26 de março de 2024
KORNGOLD : Symphony In F Sharp Major • Abschiedslieder (Premier Recording Of Orchestral Version) (Linda Finnie · BBC Philharmonic · Sir Edward Downes) (1993) APE (image+.cue), lossless
The two substantial selections on this Chandos release represent the early and late phases of Erich Wolfgang Korngold's impressive career and show the wide stylistic range and versatility of his work. The lush post-Romanticism of the Lieder des Abschieds, Op. 14, is typical of the youthful Korngold's music from the early '20s, and this haunting work is contemporary with his operatic masterpiece Die tote Stadt. These four orchestral songs partake of the musical language of Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss, particularly in their poignant harmonies, richly colored orchestration, and overwhelmingly melancholy moods. In contrast, the Symphony in F sharp major is a rough-hewn and problematic work that reflects the tensions of tonal modernism in the years following WWII, as well as the difficulties the composer faced in using the expanded Romantic symphonic form for the first and only time. The 1992 performance of the songs by contralto Linda Finnie and the BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Edward Downes, does justice to Korngold's tenderly lyrical side, while the same orchestra and conductor give the symphony a muscular reading that is striking in its vehemence and power. Chandos delivers excellent reproduction in both offerings, though the sound is somewhat crisper and more concentrated in the recording of the symphony. Blair Sanderson
Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957)
1-4 Abschiedslieder = Songs Of Farewell = Chants Des Adieux, Op. 14 (16:17
Contralto Vocals – Linda Finnie
5-8 Symphony In F Sharp Major = Symphony In Fis-dur = Symphony En Fa Dièse Majeur, Op. 40 (51:30)
Conductor – Sir Edward Downes
Contralto Vocals – Linda Finnie
Leader – Dennis Simons
Orchestra – BBC Philharmonic
Painting [Cover] – Gustav Klimt 
KORNGOLD : Sursum Corda • Sinfonietta (Matthias Bamert · BBC Philharmonic) (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
This 1995 Chandos release features two impressive works from the early years of Erich Wolfgang Korngold's career, when he was regarded as a Wunderkind rather like his namesake, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The symphonic overture, Sursum Corda, Op. 13, written in 1919 when the composer was 22, is a fantastically adventurous work in the mold of Richard Strauss' tone poems; yet surprisingly, it proved to be a bit ahead of its time and a failure with audiences. However, it ended up being used extensively in Korngold's 1938 score for Warner Brothers' The Adventures of Robin Hood, which won an Academy Award. This brilliant piece is well matched on this CD by an earlier composition, the ambitious Sinfonietta in B flat major, Op. 5, which Korngold composed between 1911 and 1912 and which demonstrates his astonishing precocity in orchestration, harmonic modulations, and absorption of the finer points of symphonic structure. Recorded in 1994, these performances by Matthias Bamert and the BBC Philharmonic are enjoyable for their bright colors, smooth execution, rich textures, and abundant energy, but they are not well-served by Chandos' reproduction, which is distant, shallow, and lacking clear separation of orchestral sections. Often, the result is an aural haze that may be suitable in some of the lush passages, but such soft-focus recording makes the music indistinct where it needs to be crisp and obscures many interesting internal details. Blair Sanderson
Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957)
1. Sursum Corda, Op. 13 [19:31]
2-5. Sinfonietta, Op. 5 [43.02]
Conductor – Matthias Bamert
Orchestra – BBC Philharmonic
KORNGOLD : Much Ado About Nothing, Op. 11 · Sinfonietta, Op. 5 (John Storgårds · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra) (2012) 2CD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957)
1 Much Ado About Nothing, OP. 11 43:38
1 Sinfonietta, Op.5 43:33
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
John Storgårds - Conductor
Notes
This release of Erich Wolfgang Korngold's Much Ado About Nothing and Sinfonietta follows Ondine's release of the Symphony in F sharp and the Tänzchen im alten Stil (ODE 1182-2).
The complete incidental music from Much Ado About Nothing (Viel Lärm um Nichts) is a world première recording. It was premiered in 2012 under the direction of John Storgårds. Originally written for chamber orchestra, it is performed here by symphony orchestra.
The Sinfonietta was first performed by Felix Weingartner and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Richly orchestrated melodies, dreamy music and an imposing finale characterize the work.
John Storgårds, one of Finland's most exceptional artists, has built a worldwide reputation in recent years. Storgårds is Chief Conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and was appointed Principal Guest Conductor of BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in 2012.
KORNGOLD : The Film Music (Lionel Newman) (1991) APE (image+.cue), lossless
King's Row
1 Main Title 1:35
2 The Children 2:25
3 Randy And Drake 3:05
4 Grandmother 2:25
Anthony Adverse
5 Anthony Is Born 2:47
6 Love Scene 2:19
7 Anthony Comes Home 1:39
The Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex
8 Main Title And Essex's Victory March 1:32
9 Love Scene And Finale 2:34
The Sea Hawk
10 Main Title 2:12
11 The Reunion 4:11
The Prince And The Pauper
12 The Boys Go To Play 0:58
The Constant Nymph
13 Main Title 1:28
14 Farewell 1:39
The Adventures Of Robin Hood
15 March Of The Merry Men And Battle 3:47
16 Robin And Maid Marian 4:13
17 Epilogue 1:19
Credits :
Presenter – Rod McKuen
Originally released as Warner Bros. Records WS-1438 (1962)
This Was the first authorized recording by the Korngold Estate.
Orchestra Conducted by Lionel Newman
KORNGOLD : String Sextet • Piano Quintet (Doric String Quartet) (2012) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957)
1-3 Piano Quintet In E Major, Op. 15 (32:24)
Cello – John Myerscough
Piano – Kathryn Stott
Viola – Simon Tandree
Violin – Alex Redington, Jonathan Stone
4-7 Sextet, Op. 10 (34:21)
Cello – Bartholomew LaFollette, John Myerscough
Viola – Jennifer Stumm, Simon Tandree
Violin – Alex Redington, Jonathan Stone
quinta-feira, 29 de fevereiro de 2024
KORNGOLD : Piano Concerto In C Sharp For The Left Hand, Op 17 ♦ MARX : Romantisches Klavierkonzert (First Recording) (Marc-André Hamelin · BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra · Osmo Vänskä) (1998) Serie The Romantic Piano Concerto – 18 | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Super-virtuoso Marc-André Hamelin plays two of the lushest products of
late Romanticism. The Marx concerto, long awaited by pianophiles the
world over, is a first recording. Written in the 1930s, it is perhaps
closest in style to Richard Strauss with its gushing melodies and rich
orchestration.
The Korngold left-hand concerto was written (like
that of Ravel) for Austrian pianist Paul Wittgenstein who had lost his
right arm during the First World War. It is Korngold at his most
experimental and features a very large and colourful orchestra, and a
particularly demanding (and awkward) piano part. Hyperion
Joseph Marx (1882-1964)
Romantisches Klavierkonzert in E major [36'30]
Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957)
Piano Concerto for the left hand in C sharp Op 17 [27'37]
Credits :
Conductor – Osmo Vänskä
Leader – Iain King
Orchestra – BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Piano – Marc-André Hamelin
quarta-feira, 22 de novembro de 2023
BARBER · KORNGOLD · WALTON : Violin Concertos (James Ehnes · Vancouver Symphony Orchestra · Bramwell Tovey) (2006) APE (image+.cue), lossless
Violinist James Ehnes unites with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra under
the direction of Bramwell Tovey for this noteworthy collection of
concertos by Korngold, Barber, and Walton. Ehnes' sound seems to be
especially well suited for these three works, each demanding rich, fluid
tone; stellar technique; and exceptional sensitivity and musicality.
Aficionados of classic movies may recognize portions of the Korngold
concerto as the composer lifted several of the melodies from his
favorite film scores. There are parts of the concerto that still sound
as if it was created for the screen instead of the concert hall,
especially the orchestral tuttis. It is nonetheless an entertaining work
and Ehnes' interpretation is both engaging and solicitous. The Barber
concerto is filled with lush, lugubrious playing. The second movement
especially, with its extensive passages on the G and D strings, puts the
listener awash in the violin's sound. The third movement, while well
executed, is a bit on the slow side until the final push to the end.
Like Korngold, Walton is another composer leading somewhat of a double
life between film composition and music specifically for the concert
hall, but Walton does not reuse materials from his film scores. Unlike
the Barber, Walton's Presto movement is quite energetic and almost
diabolical -- a very satisfying performance. The Vancouver Symphony
Orchestra also deserves kudos for this recording. The accompanying sound
is quite sensitive to the needs of the soloist; orchestral tuttis are
rich, powerful, and consummate. Mike D. Brownell 
