Joerg Widmann's Teufel Amor

[Obradovic]

Last April the Vienna PO under A. Pappano played in Athens and some other European cities a world premiere, Teufel Amor after Fr. Schiller by their ex-clarinettist Joerg Widmann who follows a freelance carreer as composer as well. It was a rare instance that this arch-conservative of the great orchestras performed a new world premiere (on tour!). I found the work remarkable and thrilling indeed and note that I usually don't get bothered too much for post-Webernian jagged cacophony-the main attraction of the concert for me was the rest of the program, Haydn's 22nd, Brahms' 4th and of course the orchestra themselves. The work was surprisingly and substantially long (ca. 30min) but never dull or uninteresting, altenating hectic, cross-rythmic, eruptive and sweetly nostalgic, voluptuous moments, with a huge battery of every conceivable percussion and an array of brass some of them rather unusual (and I cannot recall their names...). In case it crosses your path give it a chance and you won't be disappointed. Has anyone heard about it and whether a recording it's been put forward? (for those interested, the next day at the helm was C. Thielemann offering an impressive all-Schumann program: Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Fantasy for violin and orchestra, 1st and 4th Symphonies)

[petrarch]

If you liked Jörg Widmann, it might be worthwhile exploring the works of Wolfgang Rihm, his teacher and undoubtedly the most prolific living composer.

[Obradovic]

If you liked Jörg Widmann, it might be worthwhile exploring the works of Wolfgang Rihm, his teacher and undoubtedly the most prolific living composer.

Τhanks! You're right!! Any recommendation? The only works by Rihm I have in my collection are Verwandlungen-Musik für Orchester (Gewandhausorchester, R.Chailly), the 4th String Qt (Alban Berg Qt) and one of the Drei Walzer for Orchestra (Hamburg State PO, I. Metzmacher)

[lescamil]

Wolfgang Rihm's music has a very cold quality to it, at least in my opinion. Jörg Widmann's music seems a lot fresher and with more life. That's not say that Rihm's music is inferior, but Widmann is another side of the same coin. I enjoy the music of both, but Widmann's music seems to have more of an immediate accessibility to it. Just listen to his Con Brio, a relatively popular concert opener of his. It's by no means easy music, though.

I really should give Teufel Amor another listen. It was rather dense and I was distracted the first time through. I wanted more, though.

By the way, you can view scores of Widmann's music here for free: http://www.schott-music.com/shop/persons/featured/joerg-widmann/works/

[snyprrr]

Perhaps my next Rihm purchase will be the Widmann String Quartets on MDG? Looks promising!

Isn't his sister the violinist?

[Obradovic]

I really should give Teufel Amor another listen.

Yes, but where?? Thanks for posting!

[lescamil]

Yes, but where?? Thanks for posting!

I downloaded a broadcast recording of it some time ago. Here it is for anyone curious: http://www.mediafire.com/?b3xat13k7oyab4c

Here is the info on the recording (with the original program):

Code Select Expand

JOHAN WAGENAAR
Overture The taming of the shrew

RICHARD STRAUSS
Six Songs (Allerseelen; Die heiligen drei Könige aus Morgenland; Waldseligkeit;
Wiegenlied; Morgen; Zueignung)

JÖRG WIDMANN
Teufel Amor

RICHARD STRAUSS
Tod und Verklärung


Anja Harteros, soprano
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Alexandre Bloch, conductor (replacing Mariss Jansons, who had to cancel due to
health problems)

Recorded: 12 October 2012, Concertgebouw, Amsterdam
Netherlands Radio 4 (sat), MP3, 320 kbps

This exact recording was once available to listen to on the www.radio4.nl website, so I assume I am not breaking any copyright laws by sharing this.

Perhaps my next Rihm purchase will be the Widmann String Quartets on MDG? Looks promising!

Isn't his sister the violinist?

Yes, as far as I know, Carolin and Jörg are siblings.

[petrarch]

Τhanks! You're right!! Any recommendation? The only works by Rihm I have in my collection are Verwandlungen-Musik für Orchester (Gewandhausorchester, R.Chailly), the 4th String Qt (Alban Berg Qt) and one of the Drei Walzer for Orchestra (Hamburg State PO, I. Metzmacher)

There is a thread on this forum devoted to Rihm. It contains a number of comments and recommendations about his works.