Der ferne Klang... Orchestral Works & Songs by Franz Schreker

Franz SCHREKER (1878-1934)

Der ferne Klang... Orchestral Works & Songs by Franz Schreker

Der ferne Klang Nachtstück

Valse lente

Chamber Symphony

Vom ewigen Leben (for soprano and orchestra)

Five Songs for low voice and orchestra

Kleine Suite

Romantische Suite

Chen Reiss (soprano)

Matthias Goerne (baritone)

Konzerthausorchester Berlin

Christoph Eschenbach

Recorded:

Mar 2021 (Valse Lente, Kammersymphonie, Fünf Gesänge)

May 2021 (Kleine Suite, Romantische Suite)

May-Jun 2022 (Nachtstück, Vom Ewigen Leben)

Christoph Eschenbach conducts this generous survey of the sumptuous, hyper-Romantic music of Austrian composer Franz Schreker. Not only was he the pre-eminent opera composer of his generation, he also, says Eschenbach, “took Mahler’s symphonic writing to a whole new level”. The album includes the ecstatic “Nachtstück” from Der ferne Klang, the exquisite Chamber Symphony and some ravishing orchestral songs, featuring Chen Reiss and Matthias Goerne.

Franz Schreker (1878 - 1934) was an Austrian composer of predominantly operatic works. He also composed orchestral works and orchesterlieder, which many of these works are found on this 2-CD set from DG. Outside of the operas "Die Gezeichneten" and "Der ferne Klang", which are possibly his most well-known works, his "Kammersymphonie" and the pantomime "Der Geburtstag der Infantin" have been recorded many times. His style could be thought of as a hybrid of Impressionism, Expressionism and Neoclassicism. A unique composer with sound-world all of his own, but there are times here and there that I'm reminded of Korngold, Franz Schmidt or perhaps even Zemlinsky. He certainly belongs to this type of opulent, lush style. Anyway, if you enjoy any of these afore mentioned composers, then Schreker is right up your alley.

This new offering from Eschenbach on DG is simply exemplary from start to finish. I won't go through each work, but the Konzerthausorchester Berlin are even incredibly fine form throughout. The two song cycles are both handled beautifully by soprano Chen Reiss and baritone Matthias Goerne. The audio quality is top-notch, too. Quite spacious, but still detailed to where you can hear all of the instrument sections.

Anyway, this is superb release and it would be make a fine introduction to Schreker's music. I would also recommend a two volume series on Chandos (if they're still in-print) and a 2-CD set on EMI (Warner Classics) that has some works not found on this Eschenbach set. If you like what you hear and want to go further and enjoy opera, then there is a whole world to discover here since Schreker wrote at least a dozen operas. Happy listening!