It seems that poor Franz doesn't have his own thread, so I'm starting one just to tell that I have enjoyed Nagano's DVD of Die Gezeichneten, and just noticed that Capriccio is rerelasing Albrech't recordings of Der ferne Klang and Der Schatzgräber (doubtless without a libretto, but very cheaply, look under mdt New Releases if you are interested). Are they any good?
Very fine cause, indeed!!!
More on Schreker to follow... I got one of the recent re-releases... will check re: booklet when I stop by home again some time this month.
Quote from: The new erato on August 04, 2013, 11:07:39 PM
It seems that poor Franz doesn't have his own thread, so I'm starting one just to tell that I have enjoyed Nagano's DVD of Die Gezeichneten, and just noticed that Capriccio is rerelasing Albrech't recordings of Der ferne Klang and Der Schatzgräber (doubtless without a libretto, but very cheaply, look under mdt New Releases if you are interested). Are they any good?
Ahhhh, you got one!! Wow, that was good,... jealous...
How bout 'Schreker's Pecker'?????
come on, pleez pleez!?!?!?!
Quote from: snyprrr on August 05, 2013, 06:59:35 AM
Ahhhh, you got one!! Wow, that was good,... jealous...
How bout 'Schreker's Pecker'?????
come on, pleez pleez!?!?!?!
Apart from being juvenile, it doesn't rhyme... an even greater sin.
Schreker is sort of like beaker or faker... except the vowel sound is "eh" as in ... well, actually I can't think of that open "e" sound. Like an elongated "e" as in the first vowel in "
Esoterical".
Although you're unwittingly right, since Schreker changed his name from "Schrecker", which would rhyme reasonably well.
Quote from: jlaurson on August 05, 2013, 07:18:18 AM
Apart from being juvenile, it doesn't rhyme... an even greater sin.
Schreker is sort of like beaker or faker... except the vowel sound is "eh" as in ... well, actually I can't think of that open "e" sound. Like an elongated "e" as in the first vowel in "Esoterical".
Although you're unwittingly right, since Schreker changed his name from "Schrecker", which would rhyme reasonably well.
Yes, I knew that, and was only playing with your expectations to see if you were on the ball this morning? :-*
I haven't heard Schreker's operas (yet) but I really admire his orchestral works, especially Prelude to a Drama. He seems to be one of those composers who borrowed from a lot of different other styles to arrive at his own and I really admire that kind 'pot-brewing'. :)
Schreker's music is great when I need a good wallow. I especially love these two Chandos discs of his luscious orchestral works:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51wgYhgj0VL._SY300_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61LF%2BSaBI2L._SX300_.jpg)
I also own this fantastic EMI two-disc set, which includes Schreker's masterpiece, the Chamber Symphony, along with other orchestral works by Schreker as well as Schmidt and Busoni:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51T%2BEE-E%2B3L._SX300_.jpg)
Also, this two-disc set of mostly lesser Schreker, including a student Symphony in A minor which bears little resemblance to the hyper-chromaticism of his later works:
(http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/Aug13/Schreker_orchestral_94237.jpg)
Like John, I've never heard Schreker's operas, which have garnered much praise. As I've said before, I'm no opera buff, but I'd appreciate recommendations for where to start with Schreker's operas :)
Quote from: snyprrr on August 05, 2013, 08:04:41 AM
Yes, I knew that, and was only playing with your expectations to see if you were on the ball this morning? :-*
The rhyming police is
always on the ball! (http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/smileys-and-emoticons/police/smileys-police-181247.gif) (http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/smileys-and-emoticons/police/smileys-police-181247.gif)
Quote from: kyjo on August 05, 2013, 08:49:37 AM
As I've said before, I'm no opera buff, but I'd appreciate recommendations for where to start with Schreker's operas :)
Definitely start with this:
[asin]B000FVQUN0[/asin]
Die Gezeichneten is perhaps Schreker's finest opera (and certainly my favourite). This Salzburg production is beautiful, imaginative and has a surreal, mystical aura that works quite well. The music-making is incandescent.
Quote from: Wanderer on August 06, 2013, 01:58:48 PM
Definitely start with this:
[asin]B000FVQUN0[/asin]
Die Gezeichneten is perhaps Schreker's finest opera (and certainly my favourite). This Salzburg production is beautiful, imaginative and has a surreal, mystical aura that works quite well. The music-making is incandescent.
Thanks for the recommendation :) I see CPO has recorded four of his operas; have you heard any of those?
Der Ferne Klang seems to be Schreker's most-discussed opera and both Naxos and Capriccio have recorded it. I still have most of the wide world of opera to explore.....Any more tips on exploring Schreker's operatic output? :)
Quote from: kyjo on August 06, 2013, 02:08:55 PM
Thanks for the recommendation :)
"This production is beautiful" -- well, yes... and it's also wickedly disturbing! This is just for expectation management, btw., not to dampen your anticipation or enthusiasm, because the production really is amazing, and the orchestra plays very well and Nagano must have had a very good day.
Quote from: Wanderer on August 06, 2013, 01:58:48 PM
Die Gezeichneten is perhaps Schreker's finest opera (and certainly my favourite). This Salzburg production is beautiful, imaginative and has a surreal, mystical aura that works quite well. The music-making is incandescent.
That's the one I mentioned initially and I agree with Jens, it is disturbing but still extremely watchable.
Coincidentally, I just heard Prelude to a Drama the other night, with the Concertgebouw led by Friedrich Cerha, from this box below - fantastic piece, requires a huge orchestra. (And this one certainly plays the hell out of it.) My friends thought it sounded somewhat like Korngold. I think anyone who enjoys Mahler or R. Strauss would warm up to it.
[asin]B001JYDLMU[/asin]
--Bruce
Quote from: kyjo on August 06, 2013, 02:08:55 PM
Thanks for the recommendation :) I see CPO has recorded four of his operas; have you heard any of those? Der Ferne Klang seems to be Schreker's most-discussed opera and both Naxos and Capriccio have recorded it. I still have most of the wide world of opera to explore.....Any more tips on exploring Schreker's operatic output? :)
Regarding
Der ferne Klang, Albrecht (Capriccio) has IMO a slight edge over Halász (Naxos) and Kaftan (Ars Produktion, SACD), although all three are good; among his other operas available on disc,
Christophorus,
Der Schatzgräber and
Der Schmied von Gent also warrant a listen.
Among his non-operatic output the
Kammersymphonie is a study in awesomeness.
PS. If Schreker's operatic idiom appeals to you, your next steps should be
Zemlinsky (Eine florentinische Tragödie/Chailly, Der Zwerg) and
Korngold (Die tote Stadt, Das Wunder der Heliane).
PS2. I hope that DVD is already on its way to you.
Quote from: jlaurson on August 07, 2013, 03:58:15 AM
"This production is beautiful" -- well, yes... and it's also wickedly disturbing!
Oh, yes. 8)
Quote from: The new erato on August 08, 2013, 01:44:28 AM
I wasn't aware he was so short?
*superb twitter material*
He winks a lot at the audience, too.
Quote from: Wanderer on August 08, 2013, 01:29:00 AM
Regarding Der ferne Klang, Albrecht (Capriccio) has IMO a slight edge over Halász (Naxos) and Kaftan (Ars Produktion, SACD), although all three are good; among his other operas available on disc, Christophorus, Der Schatzgräber and Der Schmied von Gent also warrant a listen.
Among his non-operatic output the Kammersymphonie is a study in awesomeness.
PS. If Schreker's operatic idiom appeals to you, your next steps should be Zemlinsky (Eine florentinische Tragödie/Chailly, Der Zwerg) and Korngold (Die tote Stadt, Das Wunder der Heliane).
PS2. I hope that DVD is already on its way to you.
Again, many thanks for the helpful recommendations :) I already know the Chamber Symphony, which is indeed "a study in awesomeness" :D I love Zemlinsky's and Korngold's orchestral works, so hopefully I'll take to their operas. I think I'll opt for the Decca CD recording of
Die Gezeichneten (part of their
Entartete Musik series) instead of the DVD version. I just want the music; I don't really care for the visuals at the moment.
I do tend to think the same way (and I've got the Entartete recording as well); but sometimes seeing an opera, particularly a complex work, is a tremendous help in understanding what is actually going on.
Just now discovering this guy.
Pleasing orchestration chops, to say the least.
Quote from: Scion7 on September 02, 2016, 07:25:19 AM
Just now discovering this guy.
Pleasing orchestration chops, to say the least.
Check out his
Prelude to a Drama. Perhaps my favorite work of his. I also like his
Chamber Symphony, but he's primarily an opera composer, which is a genre I care little about.
a single chamber work!
Chbr: Sonata, vn, pf, 1898
Pf: Melodie, c1895;
Apassionata, 1896;
Adagio, F, before 1900;
2 Walzerimpromptus, c1901
orchestral
Love Song, str, hp, c1896, lost;
Scherzo, 1899;
Sym., a, op.1, 1899;
Scherzo, str, c1900;
Intermezzo, op.8, str, 1900, incl. in Romantische Suite;
Ekkehard, sym. ov., after V. von Scheffel, op.12, orch, org, 1902–3;
Romantische Suite, op.14, 1903;
Phantastische Ouvertüre, op.15, 1904;
Festwalzer und Walzerintermezzo, c1908;
Valse lente, c1908;
Vorspiel zu einem Drama, 1913, abridged as prelude to Die Gezeichneten;
Kammersymphonie, 23 insts, 1916;
Der Geburtstag der Infantin, suite, 1923;
Kleine Suite, chbr orch, 1928;
4 kleine Stücke, 1929–30;
Das Weib des Intaphernes (E. Stucken), spkr, orch, 1932–3;
Vorspiel zu einer grossen Oper, 1933 [for uncomposed Memnon]
Stage Works
• Der Ferne Klang, opera in 3 acts
• Der Schatzgräber, opera in 4 acts (w/prologue and epilogue)
• Die Gezeichneten (opera)
• Das Spielwerk und die Prinzessin, opera
• Flammen, opera in one act
• Der Schmied von Gent
Der Geburstag der Infantin (The Birthday of the Infanta), pantomime in one act
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 02, 2016, 07:30:05 AM
Check out his Prelude to a Drama. Perhaps my favorite work of his. I also like his Chamber Symphony, but he's primarily an opera composer, which is a genre I care little about.
This was nearly five years ago and my interest in opera has grown tremendously. Schreker's operas, or at least his more well-known ones, are definitely on my list to works to check out. I already ordered several of them. What would you Schrekerkians say is his best opera is overall?
You certainly took your time, didn't you? ;D
And Nagano's
Die Gezeichneten has still not been surpassed.
Quote from: Wanderer on August 06, 2013, 01:58:48 PM
Definitely start with this:
[asin]B000FVQUN0[/asin]
Die Gezeichneten is perhaps Schreker's finest opera (and certainly my favourite). This Salzburg production is beautiful, imaginative and has a surreal, mystical aura that works quite well. The music-making is incandescent.
Quote from: Wanderer on May 08, 2021, 09:53:06 PM
You certainly took your time, didn't you? ;D
And Nagano's Die Gezeichneten has still not been surpassed.
Hah, indeed. :-[ ;D Coincidently, I ordered
Die Gezeichneten (on Decca) several nights ago. I hope this is a good performance. Thanks for the recommendation for the Nagano, but I'm not much of a fan of watching an opera to be honest or, at least, feel I'm at the point where I'd enjoy the visual experience. I know that probably sounded weird, but I'm only fine with recordings for now.
Both the Nagano DVD and the Decca cd set of Gezeichneten are excellent. I also liked Der Schatzgräber (The Treasure Hunter) a lot.
Quote from: André on May 09, 2021, 06:36:26 AM
Both the Nagano DVD and the Decca cd set of Gezeichneten are excellent. I also liked Der Schatzgräber (The Treasure Hunter) a lot.
What recording of
Der Schatzgräber do you recommend, Andre?
Quote from: Mirror Image on May 09, 2021, 06:57:47 AM
What recording of Der Schatzgräber do you recommend, Andre?
It's not like there are that many ;D. The one I have is on Challenge Classics under Marc Albrecht. It's a superb performance in great sound. The other one is by Gerd Albrecht (no or only distant relation to Marc) on Capriccio, with well-known soloists. I'm quite sure it's just as good. Take your pick!
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51SgMUgqv4L._AC_.jpg)
(https://img.discogs.com/PZWi4GlWNKuzCHnsX16HkYHe5CY=/fit-in/600x515/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-8872340-1470519765-5406.jpeg.jpg)
Love his orchestral works. I have one of the Sinaisky/BBC Philharmonic discs on Chandos and listen to it frequenlty. Like the younger MI of 2016, I am not much of an opera guy so I have not explored much else of his work. Give me five years and I'll get back to you all on that. :P
Quote from: André on May 09, 2021, 12:16:01 PM
It's not like there are that many ;D. The one I have is on Challenge Classics under Marc Albrecht. It's a superb performance in great sound. The other one is by Gerd Albrecht (no or only distant relation to Marc) on Capriccio, with well-known soloists. I'm quite sure it's just as good. Take your pick!
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51SgMUgqv4L._AC_.jpg)
(https://img.discogs.com/PZWi4GlWNKuzCHnsX16HkYHe5CY=/fit-in/600x515/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-8872340-1470519765-5406.jpeg.jpg)
Thanks, Andre. The one on Challenge Classics with Marc Albrecht seems to be the one that's most readily available for me at the moment.
Quote from: vers la flamme on May 09, 2021, 02:57:13 PM
Love his orchestral works. I have one of the Sinaisky/BBC Philharmonic discs on Chandos and listen to it frequenlty. Like the younger MI of 2016, I am not much of an opera guy so I have not explored much else of his work. Give me five years and I'll get back to you all on that. :P
That's the spirit ! ;D
Quote from: Mirror Image on May 09, 2021, 07:02:49 PM
Thanks, Andre. The one on Challenge Classics with Marc Albrecht seems to be the one that's most readily available for me at the moment.
While researching the subject of a blood link btw the 2 Albrechts, I came upon the fact that conductor Marc is first cousin to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (née Albrecht). Still, no relation to Gerd Albrecht.
Quote from: André on May 10, 2021, 04:53:44 AM
While researching the subject of a blood link btw the 2 Albrechts, I came upon the fact that conductor Marc is first cousin to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (née Albrecht). Still, no relation to Gerd Albrecht.
I figured they weren't related. I believe, like you, I had read about this a few years ago when I was wondering the same thing anyone would think since they share a last name.
Speaking of Die Gezeichneten, over the weekend I stumbled across this very fine live performance of Vorspiel zu einem Drama (Prelude to a Drama) from the American Youth Symphony and conductor Carlos Izcaray, recorded at UCLA's Royce Hall in October 2016. About 20 minutes long, the piece doesn't show up in concert halls often.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVb-WZVBvUQ
--Bruce
Quote from: Mirror Image on May 09, 2021, 06:24:37 AM
Hah, indeed. :-[ ;D Coincidently, I ordered Die Gezeichneten (on Decca) several nights ago. I hope this is a good performance. Thanks for the recommendation for the Nagano, but I'm not much of a fan of watching an opera to be honest or, at least, feel I'm at the point where I'd enjoy the visual experience. I know that probably sounded weird, but I'm only fine with recordings for now.
The Zagrosek set you ordered is very good, I'm sure it will satisfy.
Nagano is, however, on a higher level still - I do mean musically - and quite unsurpassed. I have ripped the uncompressed audio track of the DVD (which, as in all DVDs, is slightly better than CD quality at 16bit/48kHz) to my computer/media player, in order to be able to listen to the performance independently, something I very rarely do.
Quote from: Brewski on May 10, 2021, 07:34:15 AM
Speaking of Die Gezeichneten, over the weekend I stumbled across this very fine live performance of Vorspiel zu einem Drama (Prelude to a Drama) from the American Youth Symphony and conductor Carlos Izcaray, recorded at UCLA's Royce Hall in October 2016. About 20 minutes long, the piece doesn't show up in concert halls often.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVb-WZVBvUQ
--Bruce
Thanks for posting this, Bruce, it is indeed a very fine performance. 8)
For those who are familiar with some of his operas, what ones would you recommend for starters? Needless to say I love his music and his a musical language has compatibility with my tastes in a good proportion.
Die Gezeichneten is my favourite. Then there's his most famous one, Der ferne Klang. I also like Der Schatzgräber, a very palatable work IMO. Although I haven't heard it yet a friend enthuses no end about Irrelohe. I have to get that.
Gezeichneten (The Branded) is the real thing and has been recorded half a dozen times. Between the Decca CD set and the Salzburg Festival video, the latter has my vote, on account of the magnetic, radiant singing of Anne Schwanewilms and the remarkably moving portrayal of Alviano by Robert Brubaker. Superb conducting by Nagano.
Quote from: André on April 08, 2022, 06:00:33 AM
Die Gezeichneten is my favourite. Then there's his most famous one, Der ferne Klang. I also like Der Schatzgräber, a very palatable work IMO. Although I haven't heard it yet a friend enthuses no end about Irrelohe. I have to get that.
Gezeichneten (The Branded) is the real thing and has been recorded half a dozen times. Between the Decca CD set and the Salzburg Festival video, the latter has my vote, on account of the magnetic, radiant singing of Anne Schwanewilms and the remarkably moving portrayal of Alviano by Robert Brubaker. Superb conducting by Nagano.
Thank you so much, André! I do plan to hear all of his operas (or at least the ones that have been recorded).
For anyone who wants to take the 2005 Salzburg production of Die Gezeichneten for a test drive, it's on YouTube below. Quality isn't great, but good enough to see whether the score and the production are to your liking.
I listened to the first 20 minutes or so, and if nothing else, Nagano and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin are breathtaking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckKLvj1OEwQ
--Bruce
Nice, Bruce. The visuals will make a difference at enjoying it.
Part of a superb concert, here is Schreker's Kammersinfonie, recorded in November 2020, with Stefan Asbury and the Frankfurt Radio Symphony doing heroic work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYaxVlJeGeA
--Bruce
(https://static.universal-music.de/asset_new/99581/195/view/Die-Gezeichneten-0028944444225.jpg)
Arguably his most famous opera ended up being a little of a let-down. I had high expectations about this work. The act one doesn't have action enough to hold my interest, it was too focused on the singing and less so on the orchestral part. Just from Und weiss Salvago von Eurem Treiben? on (act two) the music got more interesting. However, it's in the act three where things were really attractive; the inclusion of choruses improved my overall reaction to the piece, and there is more drama that gripped me much better.
Hopefully the next operas will be more appealing from the beginning.
(https://cdn.naxosmusiclibrary.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/999903-2.jpg)
The composer's style considerably changed with this work. The musical language is more daring, dissonant, with tinges of twelve-tone aesthetics, with a sparser use of the orchestra, even I seemed to hear jazz touches. Even though from the very beginning I wasn't too hooked, the music got better soon, and it's certainly gripping throughout. The ending is so beautiful and moving.
This succeeded my expectations. A worthwhile composition.
Browsing Operavision, I found this production from Theater Bonn (https://operavision.eu/performance/singing-devil) of Schreker's Der singende Teufel (The Singing Devil), recorded in May 2023, and available until 17 August 2024.
-Bruce
Quote from: brewski on March 12, 2024, 08:08:52 PMBrowsing Operavision, I found this production from Theater Bonn (https://operavision.eu/performance/singing-devil) of Schreker's Der singende Teufel (The Singing Devil), recorded in May 2023, and available until 17 August 2024.
-Bruce
Since Bielefeld in 1989 I have longed for a new production of this opera. I have made an MP3 of the 2023 Bonn revival -
https://www.mediafire.com/file/odselebfhxxuuk5/Schreker_-_Der_singende_Teufel_%25281924-28%2529.mp3/file
8)
Quote from: Albion on March 13, 2024, 03:33:50 AMSince Bielefeld in 1989 I have longed for a new production of this opera. I have made an MP3 of the 2023 Bonn revival -
https://www.mediafire.com/file/odselebfhxxuuk5/Schreker_-_Der_singende_Teufel_%25281924-28%2529.mp3/file
8)
I have now corrected the title of the file as I omitted "mp3". The new link should work...
The entertaining 2023 staging is on YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIxIB-fNwZE&t=36s
Quote from: Albion on March 13, 2024, 07:02:24 AMThe entertaining 2023 staging is on YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIxIB-fNwZE&t=36s
Thanks for posting that! I'm really looking forward to seeing this.
-Bruce
Quote from: brewski on March 13, 2024, 07:36:29 AMThanks for posting that! I'm really looking forward to seeing this.
-Bruce
You'll love it, especially the costumes which are highly imaginative and effective. It proves that a well-staged production can bring these forgotten operas to life again...
;D
Markedly more "advanced" and dissonant than "Irrelohe" (1919-24) "Der singende Teufel" shows Schreker moving towards the synthesis of styles he achieved in his final opera "Der Schmied von Gent" (1929-32).
Quote from: Albion on March 13, 2024, 08:40:33 AMMarkedly more "advanced" and dissonant than "Irrelohe" (1919-24) "Der singende Teufel" shows Schreker moving towards the synthesis of styles he achieved in his final opera "Der Schmied von Gent" (1929-32).
Thanks. I have only seen
Die Gezeichneten, even though friends in Europe have seen the ones you mention, as well as
Die Ferne Klang, multiple times.
One of my disappointments, since discovering the composer a few years ago, is that the Metropolitan Opera has never staged any Schreker. I hope that happens. Yes, some of the plots are a little odd, but that could be said about any number of operas. And the music alone is glorious.
-Bruce
Quote from: brewski on March 13, 2024, 09:15:02 AMThanks. I have only seen Die Gezeichneten, even though friends in Europe have seen the ones you mention, as well as Die Ferne Klang, multiple times.
One of my disappointments, since discovering the composer a few years ago, is that the Metropolitan Opera has never staged any Schreker. I hope that happens. Yes, some of the plots are a little odd, but that could be said about any number of operas. And the music alone is glorious.
-Bruce
If they could stage Zandonai's wonderful "Francesca da Rimini" (1916) way back in 1984 with Placido Domingo they should have got round to Schreker by now. I went over to Germany in 2002 specifically to see (unfortunately rather dismal) productions of ""Die Gezeichneten" and "Der Schatzgraber".
Schreker rivalled Richard Strauss in the 1920s in terms of performances and opera houses vied to produce his latest work. Ironically, this was partly undermined by his own publisher Universal which issued a satirical edition of their house magazine replete with parodies of his libretti and slogans such as "Schreker's Operas Really Are The Best" - talk about shooting themselves in the bloody foot...
::)
Quote from: bhodges on August 07, 2013, 05:13:32 AMCoincidentally, I just heard Prelude to a Drama the other night, with the Concertgebouw led by Friedrich Cerha, from this box below - fantastic piece, requires a huge orchestra. (And this one certainly plays the hell out of it.) My friends thought it sounded somewhat like Korngold. I think anyone who enjoys Mahler or R. Strauss would warm up to it.
--Bruce
Schrekers Prelude to a Drama - in particular, the one by Sinaisky and the BBC - OMG seems an appropriate form of appraisal for the piece. It is the most gossipy, event laden, scandal infested festival of life that ever I heard. I could not get that whole thing out of my daily thinking for days after hearing it for the first time. Prelude to a Drama (the Concert version, which is just really a big repeat of the first 8 minuites or so with added effects) it's...you could even describe it as vulgar, but it's an affirmation of life and all the colours of it, there's church bells, marriage, children playing, serious adult business, liesure, even sorrow. And it's all planted in your face in musical Technicolor. It's singularly the most listened to piece of music I have these days, and it has never stopped AMAZING me.
Not heard the version above, so it's on my list. There is no question I will hear it. Why have I not heard it? :D :P (This kind of inner rhetoric.... 8)