Erich Korngold is better known as one of leading Hollywood film composers before and just after the Second World War, and also one of a number of distinguished artists who fled to America from Nazi persecution. His Hollywood successes have detracted from his reputation as a classical composer ... Read review
Symphony in F sharp (1947-52) can be viewed both as a heartfelt tribute to the land that was his salvation (as luck would have it, Korngold was working in Hollywood when the Nazis moved into his native Austria), as well as the crowning achievement of his entire orchestral output. Conceived on an epic scale and thrilling in its sense of widescreen spectacle, it's a work which has really come into its own in recent years, and there are now no less than six versions to choose from (with the great Rudolf Kempe's pioneering 1972 recording--reissued on Varese-Sarabande--occupying a very special place of honour). Sir Edward Downes has long been a doughty Korngold champion, and his marvellously played and superbly engineered performance displays an invincible authority and unflagging grip. The symphony is preceded here by the first recording for the 1923 orchestral version of the four gorgeous Abschiedslieder ("Songs of Farewell"), with contralto Linda Finnie a commanding, ripe-toned soloist. Don't miss! --Andrew Achenbach
Symphony in F sharp (1947-52) can be viewed both as a heartfelt tribute to the land that was his salvation (as luck would have it, Korngold was working in Hollywood when the Nazis moved into his native Austria), as well as the crowning achievement of his entire orchestral output. Conceived on an epic scale and thrilling in its sense of widescreen spectacle, it's a work which has really come into its own in recent years, and there are now no less than six versions to choose from (with the great Rudolf Kempe's pioneering 1972 recording--reissued on Varese-Sarabande--occupying a very special place of honour). Sir Edward Downes has long been a doughty Korngold champion, and his marvellously played and superbly engineered performance displays an invincible authority and unflagging grip. The symphony is preceded here by the first recording for the 1923 orchestral version of the four gorgeousAbschiedslieder("Songs of Farewell"), with contralto Linda Finnie a commanding, ripe-toned soloist. Don't miss! --Andrew Achenbach
A review by chivhu on Korngold: Abschiedslieder; Symphony in F sharp minor January 14th, 2009
Author's product rating:
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks
A couple of weak links
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
A convincing performance of a neglected symphony
Disadvantages:
Soloist in accompanying songs
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Erich Korngold is better known as one of leading Hollywood film composers before and just after the Second World War, and also one of a number of distinguished artists who fled to America from Nazi persecution. His Hollywood successes have detracted from his reputation as a classical composer to the extent that the Symphony, composed at the height of his movie successes, was dismissed at the time. It was not until the early 1980s that its musical quality was recognised by conductors, including Edward Downes, and a new generation of listeners were able to hear it for the first time.
Admittedly Korngold the film composer is not far away: the swagger of the outer movements could have come only from one responsible for the scores of The Sea Hawk and Captain Blood. But the best movement, the elegiac Adagio that forms the heart of this work, harks back to the earlier, pre-Hollywood Korngold, the wunderkind who encapsulated the late romantic styles of Mahler and his successors, Zemlinsky, Schreker and Kurt Weill. The Abschiedslieder that precede the Symphony on this CD come from this period in his life. The characeristic feeing of 'longing', especially in the first and third songs, comes from a long tradition in German romanticism. Returning to the Symphony, Korngold demonstrates his ability to write memorable tunes, whikle observing the strict architecture of the traditional, Beethoven, symphony: four movements, with a Finale that wraps the whole thing up confidently and positively after the stresses and strains of the previous movements.
Downes' performance is superb: the fine details of Korngold;'s orchestration are captured in one of Chandos's many excellent recordings. The only slightly negative comment I would add is about the soloist in the fine songs that precede the Symphony. Linda Finnie has a rich, creamy voice, but it needs to be firmer to do justice to these beautiful works. Maybe another conductor and another soloist (Simon Rattle and Magdalena Kozena - now that would be an ideal combination!) will make a recording of the Abschiedslieder in the near future.
Korngold: Abschiedslieder; Symphony in F sharp minor
Product details
Title: Korngold: Abschiedslieder; Symphony in F sharp minor
Composer: Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897 - 1957)
Main Performer: Linda Finnie (Contralto (Female alto))
Orchestra / Ensemble(s): BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Date of Release: 02/07/2007
Label / Distributor: Chandos Classics / Select
Pieces in Set: 1
Running Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
Genre(s): Vocal and choral, Orchestral
Stereo: Stereo
SPAR Code: DDD
EAN: 95115143124
Work 1
Work Title: Abschiedslieder, Op. 14
Excerpt(s): 1. Sterbelied (wds. Rosetti trans A. Kerr) 2. Dies eine kann mein Sehnen nimmer fassen (wds. E. Ronsperger) 3. Mond, so gehst du wieder auf (wds. E. Lothar) 4. Gefasster Abschied (wds. E. Lothar)
Composer: Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897 - 1957)
Genre: Vocal & Choral
Date Written: 1909
Conductor: Sir Edward Downes
Orchestra / Ensemble: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Main Performer: Linda Finnie (Contralto (Female alto))
Opera Part(s): Linda Finnie
Work 2
Work Title: Symphony in F sharp, Op. 40
Excerpt(s): 1. Moderato, ma energico 2. Scherzo. Allegro molto 3. Adagio - Lento 4. Finale. Allegro gaio
Composer: Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897 - 1957)
Genre: Orchestral
Date Written: 1951-52
Conductor: Sir Edward Downes
Orchestra / Ensemble: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
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