Schoenberg's Sheen

[Mandryka]

I confess that I have never, ever listened to anything by Schoenberg. My fault, of course, but nevertheless true.

The largo from the 4th quartet , Farben from the op 16 Five pieces for orchestra.

[Daverz]

I confess that I have never, ever listened to anything by Schoenberg. My fault, of course, but nevertheless true.

I'd start with the Chamber Symphonies. 

And I love Pierrot Lunaire, though that is going to be a more polarizing work.

[foxandpeng]

Aww, cheers guys! I shall poke your recommendations 

[Lisztianwagner]

I confess that I have never, ever listened to anything by Schoenberg. My fault, of course, but nevertheless true.

You can try Erwartung and Gurrelieder too.

[San Antone]

This solo piano recording is a personal favorite. The works are ordered chronologically and (per back cover) trace AS's "compositional evolution".

I second the suggestion to try the piano music; I too found these works, especially Op. 11, to be very accessible and enjoyable.

[Karl Henning]

I'd start with the Chamber Symphonies. 

And I love Pierrot Lunaire, though that is going to be a more polarizing work.

That Orpheus Chamber Orchestra disc is a superb entrée. 

[Number Six]

I confess that I have never, ever listened to anything by Schoenberg. My fault, of course, but nevertheless true.

"Verklärte Nacht" is a lovely piece. You'll get it on that Orpheus recording Daverz suggested.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

IIRC, @foxandpeng you're not a fan of vocal works, right?

If I'm remembering correctly, then I would start with the two early works Pelleas und Melisande and Verklärte Nacht. From here, I would branch out to the Five Pieces for Orchestra, Chamber Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 and, if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, the Violin Concerto. I also recommend some of the chamber works like the String Trio and String Quartets Nos. 3 & 4.

[foxandpeng]

IIRC, @foxandpeng you're not a fan of vocal works, right?

If I'm remembering correctly, then I would start with the two early works Pelleas und Melisande and Verklärte Nacht. From here, I would branch out to the Five Pieces for Orchestra, Chamber Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 and, if you're feeling a bit more adventurous, the Violin Concerto. I also recommend some of the chamber works like the String Trio and String Quartets Nos. 3 & 4.

You do remember correctly. Willing to range from my comfort zone, but also appreciate the recs closer to my usual areas of interest.

Grateful for the time you and other kind GMGers have taken to help a brother out!

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

You do remember correctly. Willing to range from my comfort zone, but also appreciate the recs closer to my usual areas of interest.

Grateful for the time you and other kind GMGers have taken to help a brother out!

My pleasure. I hope you hear something that captures you. Schoenberg has long been one of my favorites, but I feel like I didn't begin to truly understand him until I've heard his works from beginning of his career to the end. He truly was a marvel and he was someone who strove to renew himself with each work he produced. In this way, he was much like Stravinsky --- always searching, never settling.

I've posted this video before (I believe), but it may be of some help to you in understanding Schoenberg and his music:

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

To add to my previous post, here some Schoenberg recordings that have meant a lot to me over the years and that I heartily recommend to you as well, @foxandpeng:

[Lisztianwagner]

To add to my previous post, here some Schoenberg recordings that have meant a lot to me over the years and that I heartily recommend to you as well, @foxandpeng:

All these recordings are certainly wonderful, you can't go wrong with them to start exploring Schönberg!

[Karl Henning]

Cross-post:

[foxandpeng]

To add to my previous post, here some Schoenberg recordings that have meant a lot to me over the years and that I heartily recommend to you as well, @foxandpeng:

Appreciate you sharing, John. Thank you!

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Appreciate you sharing, John. Thank you!

My pleasure and happy listening!

[foxandpeng]

Cross-post:

I wanted to like this... I think I might need to accept my general philistinism around vocals...

[foxandpeng]

Apologies for the heavy posting today.

Arnold Schoenberg
Schoenberg: Complete Works for Strings
Disc 5
Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra
Schoenberg Quartet
Chandos

I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra.

Even more so, the 5 Pieces for Orchestra. I don't pretend to have any idea as to which streamed version of this might be best, but the Robert Craft version on Naxos with the London Symphony Orchestra seems pretty decent.  As a piece of music, this leans far closer to the sort of music I would normally choose - more modern, more complex, less predictable to my non-technical mind, and more interesting overall. There is something more emotionally satisfying about it, and although immediately engaging, will doubtless gather traction with further listens.

My five cents worth.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Apologies for the heavy posting today.

Arnold Schoenberg
Schoenberg: Complete Works for Strings
Disc 5
Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra
Schoenberg Quartet
Chandos

I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra.

Even more so, the 5 Pieces for Orchestra. I don't pretend to have any idea as to which streamed version of this might be best, but the Robert Craft version on Naxos with the London Symphony Orchestra seems pretty decent.  As a piece of music, this leans far closer to the sort of music I would normally choose - more modern, more complex, less predictable to my non-technical mind, and more interesting overall. There is something more emotionally satisfying about it, and although immediately engaging, will doubtless gather traction with further listens.

My five cents worth.

Yes! I'm glad you enjoyed the Five Pieces for Orchestra. This piece brought me closer to Schoenberg --- in particular, the movement Farben with it's almost proto-spectral atmosphere. This movement is a piece of music that I still find astonishing. The work comes from Schoenberg's free atonal period where all of the rules and inevitability are thrown out the window in favor of a narrative that is based on a moment-to-moment basis.

As for performances, do try to listen to Boulez (Columbia/Sony) and Michael Gielen (Wergo). These are my two favorite recordings of the work. The Craft you were listening to is pretty good, but I felt that some of the more outward, Expressionistic elements could've been highlighted a bit more.

[foxandpeng]

Yes! I'm glad you enjoyed the Five Pieces for Orchestra. This piece brought me closer to Schoenberg --- in particular, the movement Farben with it's almost proto-spectral atmosphere. This movement is a piece of music that I still find astonishing. The work comes from Schoenberg's free atonal period where all of the rules and inevitability are thrown out the window in favor of a narrative that is based on a moment-to-moment basis.

As for performances, do try to listen to Boulez (Columbia/Sony) and Michael Gielen (Wergo). These are my two favorite recordings of the work. The Craft you were listening to is pretty good, but I felt that some of the more outward, Expressionistic elements could've been highlighted a bit more.

Ever helpful, John, thank you.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Ever helpful, John, thank you.

My pleasure.