Search - Markus Kohler, Franz Lehar, Johannes Goritzki :: Lehár: Frühling

My Favorite Lehar operetta.

Brett Farrell | Cape May, NJ USA | 06/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of all the operettas by Franz Lehar, this is the one I listen to the most. I purchased it a few years back now so that is not only a true statement but also time tested. It's not quite like any of the others (with the exception of Der Sterngucker). On like his others works, this one is set during Lehar's life time and in his environment and listening to it truly makes you feel like you're there with him. From the luscious opening vorspiel to every piece after (Which I know sounds like a copout answer but I genuinely can't single out only certain pieces...) this sweeping and gorgeous operetta will become not just one of your favorite Lehar operetta's but a general favorite all around.

The introduction song after the vorspiel is good but a little slower than the rest of the piece and has a less sprightly sound and more of a romantic one. Yet at the same time is very necessary and I recommend it just as much as the rest of the operetta even though it doesn't posses the same sound and feeling as the rest of the operetta which is almost a continuous charming light hearted musical romp that will burn it's melodies permanently into your conscience.

Amongst the many delicious attributes of Fruhling is that it is generously sprinkled with many beautiful orchestral pieces that could but never have stood on their own. I know of no Fruhling suite but there should be one. Track 8 being my favorite of the incidental music but it is very hard to pick favorite as the Mazurka and Plaisanterie are extremely beautiful as well.

`Fruhling' or `Spring' was written by Lehar in 1922 for the Cabaret `Hell' located in the cellar of the Theatre an der Wien. The story is about a copyist who must type up a libretto and she then lives out the entire operetta in her head. The story being something about people sharing apartments because of a housing shortage and then the romantic intrigues and confusions that take place because of this. To get the full details you'll have to read the book that comes with the CD.

Also on this CD are two Lehar orchestral pieces. `Elfentanz, konzert-walzer' and `Magyar abrand' which are very worthy additions to this CD and flow very nicely with the rest of the music being placed at the end.

All in all this is one of my favorite operettas of all time and if I were forced to pick only a certain amount of music and then be deserted on some island, this CD would definitely come with."