Erich Wolfgang Korngold

[Gurn Blanston]

Oh, that made me smile : )

You should start a Kabelevsky thread so we don't hijack this one. I have a bunch to talk about...

[Guido]

I am reasonably aware of the historical background, who admired him and who did not. Some of his music I really don't much care for, but as I indicated, I do like these quartets and the background to the composer does not come into it for me.

Mike

Sorry my post wasn't directed at you, more just a general musing on the status of Korngold.

[knight66]

Guido, I can see my post could read as a bit defensive, which 0t was not meant to be....no problems with your post for me, I was just outlining my own approach.

Mike

[Guido]

Good, good!

Just listened to Tomorrow again - love that piece - absolute Hollywood sentimental melodrama at its finest, and for once the harmony seems to have strong direction and pull.

[Siedler]

I am going to see Die Tote Stadt live tomorrow at Finnish National Opera and I couldn't be more excited as I love the opera! Helsingin Sanomat gave a rave review both of the work and the performance, calling the production and cast luxurious (Klaus Florian Vogt as Paul and  Camilla Nylund as Marietta). The performance will be released on DVD later.

[Grazioso]

Well, judging by a fairly quick scan of this thread, it seems that other than film music, one must be pretty much content with the violin concerto and the string quartets. .... What else of his music can I not live without?

His symphony, one of the best of the 20th century. A number of recordings are available.

[jlaurson]

Well, judging by a fairly quick scan of this thread, it seems that other than film music, one must be pretty much content with the violin concerto and the string quartets. I have the Perlman concerto and I like it fine. And I have these string quartets;

Here's a list to answer precisely that question.



The Sounds of Korngold
http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=314

Doesn't include early works like "The Snowman" or the Piano Trio, but since Korngold was nearly as good a composer when he was 13 as he was with 53, those are very worthwhile, too.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

It's Erich Wolfgang Korngold's birthday!


http://www.youtube.com/v/vsNrSrgDBDo

[knight66]

I had no idea, but an hour ago I was listening to this on Youtube. I had never heard it before, delightful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkqdjdIRZyo

Mike

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Didn't know that either. Thanks, Mike. It was uploaded by Brendan G. Carroll, the Korngold expert, whom I befriended on Facebook a few minutes ago!

[knight66]

What a strange coincidence. I read his notes and clearly he knows his stuff.

Mike

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Well, he wrote the definitive biography, so he should! Though Jessica Duchen's book is excellent, too. Both books make you all eager to hear Korngold's music, but Jessica's book especially so.

[jlaurson]

It's Erich Wolfgang Korngold's birthday!

Ah, Poppen at work.

Listened to Korngold's Symphony yesterday... but that work rarely works for me... for all the other Korngold stuff I like so much.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Ah, Poppen at work.

Listened to Korngold's Symphony yesterday... but that work rarely works for me... for all the other Korngold stuff I like so much.

It depends, as so often, on the performance. Which do you know? Though if you ask me which I prefer, I have difficulty in answering, because for one reason or another the several interpretations I know (Kempe, Downes, Previn, Albrecht, Welser-Möst...) all huddle together in a blur. But I like Kempe a lot, because he is so raw.

[jlaurson]

It depends, as so often, on the performance. Which do you know? Though if you ask me which I prefer, I have difficulty in answering, because for one reason or another the several interpretations I know (Kempe, Downes, Previn, Albrecht, Welser-Möst...) all huddle together in a blur. But I like Kempe a lot, because he is so raw.

That response was specifically to John Storgårds & Helsinki (Ondine). I do remember liking Welser-Möst very much; I don't even know which others I (still) have -- Previn, Downes, and Albert methinks. I know I've not listened to Marc Albrecht, which is tempting.

[karlhenning]

Why didn't anyone ever tell me that the Piano Quintet in E is such brilliant, hot music?

You guys are letting the side down!!!  ; )

[Wanderer]

Why didn't anyone ever tell me that the Piano Quintet in E is such brilliant, hot music?

You guys are letting the side down!!!  ; )

I think I might have, in the olden times of the forum.

A reminder: the op.23 Suite is also magnificent, if you'd care to venture another brilliant chamber work afterwards.  0:)

[madaboutmahler]

Have been listening to this on loop for the last half hour... just a 2 minute excerpt from the violin concerto, the first time I have heard any Korngold. It's brilliant!
http://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/2885/dudamel-kavakos-ravel-korngold-strauss

Definitely want to hear this work in full now. I have had a look throughout the thread and see that the Shaham/Previn recording is the most popular. Thinking about buying this now... is this a wise choice?

This excerpt from the concerto is so incredibly uplifting and wonderful! I can anticipate enjoy the whole work...   0:)

[jlaurson]

Have been listening to this on loop for the last half hour... just a 2 minute excerpt from the violin concerto, the first time I have heard any Korngold. It's brilliant!
http://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/2885/dudamel-kavakos-ravel-korngold-strauss

Definitely want to hear this work in full now. I have had a look throughout the thread and see that the Shaham/Previn recording is the most popular. Thinking about buying this now... is this a wise choice?

Yes. It absolutely is. No downplaying of its character  like Heifetz, no up-playing like the dreadful "Star-Wars" version of Previn/Mutter... and superb couplings.
The Sounds of Korngold
http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=314

Concerto for Violin op.35 & Much Ado about Nothing, op.11 Suite with Gil Shaham and André Previn (Deutsche Grammophon 439886 – also contains the Barber Violin Concerto). Two great romantic violin concertos and played with utmost mastery and beauty. Unlike on his later recording with Anne-Sophie Mutter (coupled with an unattractively played Tchaikovsky concerto), Previn neither plays up the film music aspect (much to the performance's benefit), nor does Shaham self-consciously struggle against it's Hollywood-ring (as does Heifetz, for example).

[madaboutmahler]

Yes. It absolutely is. No downplaying of its character  like Heifetz, no up-playing like the dreadful "Star-Wars" version of Previn/Mutter... and superb couplings.
The Sounds of Korngold
http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=314

Thank you for the recommendation, Jens, and also for warning me against the recordings I certainly shouldn't get!

Very interesting blog entry by the way, as they always are. Very helpful!