Schoenberg's Sheen

[Cato]

Many years ago, I received a present from Belmont Music Publishing, the Schoenberg family's company, which publishes the composer's works: a cassette tape of Bruno Maderna conducting Jakobsleiter in 1972.


It is a powerful and mysterious performance!


Someone has kindly placed it on SoundCloud:


Jakobsleiter: conducted by Bruno Maderna

[Mandryka]

Very impressive Schoenberg op 30, and indeed Brahms op 51/1 from Spektral quartet, the sound is unique, the reconciliation of the Schoenberg and the Brahms is thought provoking.

[Karl Henning]

Very impressive Schoenberg op 30, and indeed Brahms op 51/1 from Spektral quartet, the sound is unique, the reconciliation of the Schoenberg and the Brahms is thought provoking.

Yes! Love that album. My review.

[Cato]

Yes! Love that album. My review.

What an excellent review!  I hope you received at least a few coins for it! 

[Karl Henning]

What an excellent review!  I hope you received at least a few coins for it! 

The customary pittance, as agreed upon. 

[brewski]

Very impressive Schoenberg op 30, and indeed Brahms op 51/1 from Spektral quartet, the sound is unique, the reconciliation of the Schoenberg and the Brahms is thought provoking.

Thanks for the inadvertent reminder to listen to this recording, which (red-faced) I've had since its release but haven't heard. (And nice review, @Karl Henning.) Shortly after this was released, the Spektral Quartet decided to call it a day, which was dismal news, given the high quality of their work.

-Bruce

[Karl Henning]

Shortly after this was released, the Spektral Quartet decided to call it a day, which was dismal news, given the high quality of their work.

'Tis pity, indeed!

[Cato]

Thanks for the inadvertent reminder to listen to this recording, which (red-faced) I've had since its release but haven't heard. (And nice review, @Karl Henning.)


Shortly after this was released, the Spektral Quartet decided to call it a day, which was dismal news, given the high quality of their work.

-Bruce

Yes, a very nice review!

And I saw that news on their website!  They wrote that they were not permanently disbanding, however.

Maybe like rock bands, who break-up and then reunite for "one last tour" several times? 

[SurprisedByBeauty]

OK, this is rather tangential to Schoenberg, but our little YouTube podcast (#ClassicalDiscoveries) we had Christoph Becher on. He was Intendant in Heilbronn, worked at the Elbphilharmonie, the Konzerthaus, and most recently was the general director of the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. He has since written a book about Schoenberg "Die Schoenberg Challenge" (in German, alas), where he tries to lead people towards Schoenberg in 12 (not 13!) chapters, starting with the Brahms Quartet Orchestration... and making his way to the Jakobsleiter, eventually. The podcast's topic is, tongue-in-cheek, "How to keep audiences away from concert halls", and the podcast is a bit all over the place, but we do speak about his book and his approach at some length, so I thought I might post it here.

(Criticism and suggestions of/for the podcast, meanwhile, much appreciated. I have also post our video of Braunfels' "Jeanne d'Arc", Mahler (his Beethoven "Retuschen"), Schnittke ("Film Music for 'Little Tragedies'"), and Miklos Rozsa ("Beyond Ben Hur") in those composers' threads.

Classical Discoveries - #005 The Program Directors - How to keep Audiences away from Concert Halls

[Cato]

OK, this is rather tangential to Schoenberg, but our little YouTube podcast (#ClassicalDiscoveries) we had Christoph Becher on. He was Intendant in Heilbronn, worked at the Elbphilharmonie, the Konzerthaus, and most recently was the general director of the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. He has since written a book about Schoenberg "Die Schoenberg Challenge" (in German, alas), where he tries to lead people towards Schoenberg in 12 (not 13!) chapters, starting with the Brahms Quartet Orchestration... and making his way to the Jakobsleiter, eventually. The podcast's topic is, tongue-in-cheek, "How to keep audiences away from concert halls", and the podcast is a bit all over the place, but we do speak about his book and his approach at some length, so I thought I might post it here.

(Criticism and suggestions of/for the podcast, meanwhile, much appreciated. I have also post our video of Braunfels' "Jeanne d'Arc", Mahler (his Beethoven "Retuschen"), Schnittke ("Film Music for 'Little Tragedies'"), and Miklos Rozsa ("Beyond Ben Hur") in those composers' threads.

Classical Discoveries - #005 The Program Directors - How to keep Audiences away from Concert Halls

Many thanks for the link!  I will try to listen tomorrow morning!

[AnotherSpin]

If an air raid occurs during a performance at the Odessa Opera Theater, the show is paused, and the audience is guided to a shelter located in the theater's basement. Just a few days ago, this shelter became the venue for the premiere of Schoenberg's Erwartung.

[Karl Henning]

If an air raid occurs during a performance at the Odessa Opera Theater, the show is paused, and the audience is guided to a shelter located in the theater's basement. Just a few days ago, this shelter became the venue for the premiere of Schoenberg's Erwartung.

Sorry for the occasion, but it's a great piece for an intimate venue.

[AnotherSpin]

Sorry for the occasion, but it's a great piece for an intimate venue.

No reason to be sorry. What is - is. Living through war, I often think of Osho's words: in challenging times, the choice is straightforward - you can either carry on as usual or go mad. Incidentally, this principle applies to all circumstances in life, not just the difficult ones.

[AnotherSpin]

Erwartung. I'm listening and wondering if this was the best choice for people taking shelter from an air raid. Maybe something more uplifting and soothing would better ease their nerves and improve their mood.

[Maestro267]

Wait, national premiere? Kinda surprised it's taken this long for a major Schoenberg work to still get a national premiere in a European country.

[AnotherSpin]

Wait, national premiere? Kinda surprised it's taken this long for a major Schoenberg work to still get a national premiere in a European country.

Major?

The premiere at the Odessa Opera. It's possible that some of Schoenberg's works were staged in other theaters in the country, such as in Kyiv, Lviv, or somewhere else.

[relm1]

Exciting news for me.  Though tight on cash, I decided to gift myself a ticket to a performance of Gurre-Lieder in two weeks since it's such a rare work to experience live and I need it. 

[brewski]

Exciting news for me.  Though tight on cash, I decided to gift myself a ticket to a performance of Gurre-Lieder in two weeks since it's such a rare work to experience live and I need it. 

You could consider that "self-care," and put it in the Health and Wellness budget line.       

-Bruce

[Karl Henning]

Exciting news for me.  Though tight on cash, I decided to gift myself a ticket to a performance of Gurre-Lieder in two weeks since it's such a rare work to experience live and I need it. 

Excellent! (Speaking as one lucky enough to have heard it live, meself. 

[relm1]

Yesterday, I saw Gurreleider and what an outstanding experience that was!  It was beautifully conducted by 88 year old Zubin Mehta who has a very long history with this work.  I knew the music well but not the story but was sitting next to a couple who knew the story very well but not the music so we talked when approproiate.  I knew it was a Wagnerian love story but half way through, my jaw dropped when I discovered Tove was in fact dead.  The music made so much more sense then and I found the story so moving with many goosebump moments.  I wish Schoenberg had composed more music like this but maybe part of what makes this so special is that it is one of a kind.  I do want to hear more of his operas after seeing his sentimental and dramatic storytelling skills!  Really wonderful concert experience, I'm so glad I attended despite the very high prices.