Search - Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Matthias Bamert, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra :: Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Sursum Corda; Sinfonietta

A Wonderful Performance

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 05/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The astonishing talent of Erich Wolfgang Korngold is not better demonstrated than in the Sinfonietta, which gets a fabulous performance on this disc. The Sinfonietta was completed when Korngold was 15 and displays maturity well beyond his years. It is tuneful with well-developed melodies. He also makes use of interesting instruments like the English Horn and celesta. One can detect the later film music in this inventive music. The Sherzo is dramatic and the finale joyous but perhaps the dreamy Andante is the most surprising part of this piece, creating an atmosphere exotic and languid.The Sursum Corda (Lift Up Your Hearts) was written at the time of Die Tote Stadt and was greeted at its premiere with boos as it was considered too modern. It is difficult to say why the piece was so disliked since it is an unforgettably beautiful work. The music fits its title remarkably well, and it had a second life in the score for "The Adventures of Robin Hood." It is important to remember that Korngold thought that music was inspired whatever its source, so reusing melodies from his compositions into film music and back again was no different than Prokofiev creating a symphony from his operas. The performances are committed with great playing by the BBC Philharmonic. The recording by Chandos is superb. A must have disc."