At the end of the alphabet: Zemlinsky

[Cato]

I wouldn't dignify these words by calling it a review.. Did you mean to post in the Grammar Grumble instead?  0:)

Heh-heh!  The dangers of placing too many words between the subject and the verb!  0:)

I was wondering if that really was the complete "review," or if a subscriber would be given the longer version.

[Mirror Image]

Sehr erfreut.  I am going to have to check carefully, but I think I have all or most of what's in the box from "pre-box" purchases on EMI: Traumgörge; Seejungfrau; Sämtliche Chorwerke; Sämtliche Orchesterlieder;Lyrische Symphonie; Cymbeline Suite und Frühlingsbegräbnis. I also have Claus Peter Flor's reading of the Lyric Symphony on RCA; the LaSalle Quartet (DG) for the 4 quartets; the Artis Quartet for #3 and 4 only (Nimbus); another reading of Sinfonietta by the Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin under Klee on Koch and Sarema (also on Koch). I was astounded to check in Ewen (Composers Since 1900) and its Supplement which I've found really helpful and there's not a mention of him, but then remembered it wasn't until his centenary that Z was rediscovered.  Listened to Eine florentinische Tragödie this afternoon and greatly enjoyed it but so distracted with odds and ends (mostly odd) must go back to it with greater attn:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L8B0hgApuI    Be sure to catch your Z's!

Ah, cool, so you don't really need the set. My favorite performance of Lyric Symphony is with Eschenbach. Have you heard it?

[Mirror Image]

John, btw, don't you think EMI rules when it comes to classical labels?  My favorite if I had to choose one - might make an interesting thread actually.

I think they have a strong catalog, but there are other labels I certainly like more and this has more to do with specific composers than anything. Some favorite labels of mine: BIS, Chandos, Naxos, Decca, Supraphon, and Wergo.

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

My favorite performance of Lyric Symphony is with Eschenbach. Have you heard it?

Nope, but on your recommend, will pursue - thanks!

[Mirror Image]

Nope, but on your recommend, will pursue - thanks!

I think you'll enjoy, Gregg. It's a deeply felt performance.

[Ken B]

I have a Zyman disc on my shelf.

[amw]

I have a Zyman disc on my shelf.

I wonder if Zyman knows Michel van der Aa.

[The new erato]

I wouldn't dignify these words by calling it a review.. Did you mean to post in the Grammar Grumble instead?  0:)

I can never understand why Guardian having their reviewers listen to the classical discs, cannot provide them with a few more lines to write something of interest. Or is it really a means to providing them a channel to receive free discs? Mostly they seem like 5 minutes of observation after one playthrough.

And I second the Eschenbach. A superb disc, and a clear favorite among my three recordings of the Lyric.

[vandermolen]

The Mermaid (Die Seejungfrau) is a most beautiful, poetic work. It has one of the most magical openings I know representing the murky depths of the sea. Such a shame that it was poorly received at its premiere in 1903 and sunk without trace (no pun intended) for decades. Zemlinsky is an underrated composer. It is reminiscent at times of Mahler's 'Titan' Symphony and anticipated the scores of Waxman and Korngold by decades. It also has resonances of Rimsky Korsakov's fantasy scores. I know I've written about this fine work before so I'm not going ga-ga (yet) but thought it time to bump up the thread.
[asin]B002AT46AO[/asin]
By the way I like Brewski's title for this thread 'At the end of the alphabet...' Oddly sad and poetic - like Zemlinsky himself.

[bhodges]

The Mermaid (Die Seejungfrau) is a most beautiful, poetic work. It has one of the most magical openings I know representing the murky depths of the sea. Such a shame that it was poorly received at its premiere in 1903 and sunk without trace (no pun intended) for decades. Zemlinsky is an underrated composer. It is reminiscent at times of Mahler's 'Titan' Symphony and anticipated the scores of Waxman and Korngold by decades. It also has resonances of Rimsky Korsakov's fantasy scores. I know I've written about this fine work before so I'm not going ga-ga (yet) but thought it time to bump up the thread.
[asin]B002AT46AO[/asin]
By the way I like Brewski's title for this thread 'At the end of the alphabet...' Oddly sad and poetic - like Zemlinsky himself.

Thanks for the title praise, Jeffrey! And Die Seejungfrau can't be mentioned often enough. I am mystified why it doesn't show up in the concert hall more often, since it shows off a large orchestra very well.

Have not heard this Judd recording, though I have good associations with him from other recordings (e.g., his version of The Planets with the RPO).

--Bruce

[Cato]

Thanks for the title praise, Jeffrey! And Die Seejungfrau can't be mentioned often enough. I am mystified why it doesn't show up in the concert hall more often, since it shows off a large orchestra very well.

Have not heard this Judd recording, though I have good associations with him from other recordings (e.g., his version of The Planets with the RPO).

--Bruce

Amen! 0:)

I bought this recording...27 years ago 

[asin]B00000E399[/asin]

Riccardo Chailly and the RSO Berlin.  It also offers a choral work: Psalm XXIII.

A work that shows Zemlinsky should be numbered among the best is his Sechs Gesaenge on texts by Maurice Maeterlinck.  This work is the very definition of hauntingly enigmatic.

[asin]B006660TIK[/asin]

[vandermolen]

Coincidentally I've just ordered a second-hand version of the Decca recording posted by Leo above (I have the fine version by Conlon as well). Bruce is right about Judd and his NZSO too. I like their version of Copland's Third Symphony and the symphonies of the NZ composer Douglas Lilburn. I caught the end of a poetic and moving work on the radio a couple of days ago - by the end I guessed it was Die Seejungfrau which encouraged me to listen to it again. Zemlinsky was BBC Radio 3's Composer of the Week last week.

[Maestro267]

I need to get more Zemlinsky into my collection. Interestingly, Die Seejungfrau was premiered at the same concert as Schoenberg's Pelleas und Melisande, both works c. 40 minutes and scored for substantial forces.

[vandermolen]

I need to get more Zemlinsky into my collection. Interestingly, Die Seejungfrau was premiered at the same concert as Schoenberg's Pelleas und Melisande, both works c. 40 minutes and scored for substantial forces.

Yes and I think that it was, unfairly I think, overshadowed by the Schoenberg work. Bizarrely it was also performed alongside Vaughan Williams's Norfolk Rhapsody No.1 at a concert around the same time.

[BrianSA]

I've asked this question before in other settings without getting any (even negative) reply, so just for fun I think I'll toss it out here: does anybody know if there has EVER been any kind of a recorded performance (even an off-air, internet-available-downloadable recording) of Zemlinsky's early, apparently incomplete Symphony in E minor?  It seems unlikely to me but I keep hoping...

Brian

[Cato]

Sorry, I know of nothing, and have been following Zemlinsky for 40 years or so!

There are references to the attempt having two movements extant, but otherwise...nothing.

[vandermolen]

...meanwhile back at the end of the alphabet and towards the end of his life Zemlinsky composed a wonderful work which I listened to for the first time today. This is his setting of Psalm XIII ('How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord?') composed in 1935 and first performed in 1971 decades after the composer's death. Poor Zemlinsky was, I believe, a great composer yet one who was tragically neglected in his lifetime and was unfortunate enough to find himself, a Jew, living in Nazi Germany, where his work was of course banned. Fortunately he managed to get out and died, largely forgotten in the USA. The CD which Leo (Cato) posted above is terrific as it has the wonderfully atmospheric tone poem 'The Mermaid' (Die Seejungfrau) coupled with the great setting of Psalm XIII. I find the Psalm to be very moving, especially in the context of Zemlinky's life and the powerfully defiant ending reminded me momentarily of the choral music of Vaughan Williams or Holst - a great discovery and certainly my favourite Zemlinsky CD.

[ritter]

Thanks for the interesting comment, vandermolen!  Your praise of this Psalm XIII led me to purchase this composer's "Complete Choral Works" on EMI under James Conlon, in a twofer that also includes the orchestral songs (which have been in my collection since they were first issued). I've neglected Zemlinsky for quite a while, but today reviisited Die Seejunfrau and the Sinfonietta with pleasure (particularly the latter).

Regards,

[vandermolen]

Thanks for the interesting comment, vandermolen!  Your praise of this Psalm XIII led me to purchase this composer's "Complete Choral Works" on EMI under James Conlon, in a twofer that also includes the orchestral songs (which have been in my collection since they were first issued). I've neglected Zemlinsky for quite a while, but today reviisited Die Seejunfrau and the Sinfonietta with pleasure (particularly the latter).

Regards,

And thank you Ritter for your response. I hope that you enjoy Psalm XIII as much as I have. I have the Conlon box of orchestral works and must revisit it especially for the Sinfonietta which I hardly know.
Best wishes
Jeffrey

[Jo498]

Thanks for the title praise, Jeffrey! And Die Seejungfrau can't be mentioned often enough. I am mystified why it doesn't show up in the concert hall more often, since it shows off a large orchestra very well.

I think I once read that already at the first performance the Seejungfrau was overshadowed by Schoenberg's "Pelleas & Melisande" and it apparently has not recovered since then.

I wonder if someone has listened to/compared several recordings of the string quartets. For years the LaSalle (DG) was the only game in town but by now there is also Artis (Nimbus), Schoenberg (Chandos) and Escher (Naxos).