Search - Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Arnold Schoenberg, Raphael Ensemble :: Korngold: String Sextet; Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht

Fascinating compositions given outstanding performances

Jeffrey Lee | Asheville area, NC USA | 08/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disc contains two engaging and colorful works, played by one of the finest chamber groups I've had the pleasure of listening to---The Raphael Ensemble. The first, a lovely composition, is the String Sextet by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, who is best known for his Hollywood motion picture soundtracks from over a half century ago. The piece has a luxurious feel. Its unmistakably romantic influence is captured in a disarming but never maudlin way by the Raphael. This is particularly evident in the pleasant, waltz-like third movement intermezzo. The final presto's exotic, Bartokian sounding elements shift to reveal a somewhat more comfortably lyrical quality. Here and elsewhere, the Raphael plays brilliantly....The Schoenberg Verklarte Nacht is an interesting piece, laden with dramatic and poignant sonorities. Aside from the darkly sweet moments, one occasionally encounters an undoubtedly Wagnerian flavor, particularly in the end (shades of Entry of the Gods Into Valhalla from The Magic Fire Music). I find the work absorbing, and it is given an especially sensitive and concentrated performance by the Raphael. In addition, Hyperion's cover art for the cd is most interesting. It is called Ghostly Cloud, by Richard Riemerschmid. The entire package is firmly recommended."

End(?) of an Era

John D. Steyers | San Diego, CA, USA | 06/06/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I like the music of this period (early 20th Century) very much. In the beginnings of the dominance of atonal music, Such composers as Korngold and the early Schoenberg were regarded as the tail end of past Romanticism, of some interest, but decadent, and thus something of a guilty pleasure. The resurgence in the 20th Century of tonal composition, and even of a new sort of romanticism has blunted the once seemingly overwhelming force of the original criticism. As a result what is discussed above and other forces, it is now considered acceptable for even the most cautious music lovers to admit to enjoying lushly emotional "Romantic" music once again. This album is for such listeners. Both pieces, splendidly performed, and for string sextet. I prefer this version of the Schoenberg piece to the more usually heard version for full string orchestra -- the latter version could reallly be considered a bit excessive in the "lush" department, but the sextet version, slightly dryer (on a relative scale) and much more transparent, and therefore works much better. As to the other piece on this album, I have had a great deal of pleasure re-discovering Korngold's non-film work, and this is a prime example thereof. I recommend this album to all music lovers, and to unrepentant Romantics in particular."