Search - Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Franz Welser-Möst, Philadelphia Orchestra :: Korngold: Symphony in F sharp; Einfache Lieder; Mariettas Lied

Unbelievably lovely disc - great bargain now to boot!

Mr. DAVID Geer | Sydney Australia | 10/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love Korngold and his symphony is a real treat! The songs are even more of a gem and of course you can't have enough of Hendricks and Marietta's Lied, now can you! (I think I have 3 or 4 sung versions and one for violin and piano!). If you haven't discovered Korngold yet or are graduating from his film music this is a good start and if you are already a fan you won't be disappointed to have this disc even if like me you already had a symphony as well as songs!



Greetings from Sydney, Australia - David



"

Very nice.

Good Stuff | 09/21/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you are appreciative of Korngold, you will find this CD quite nice. In fact, even if you aren't so fond of old Erich, at this price, this CD is still hard to pass up.



For starters, this is probably the best recorded version of Korngold's Symphony in F#. And before you start grumbling, yes, I know, there is precious little here that is new. But it is so beautifully performed here. And for those who are enamored of Korngold's film music, he preserved some of his best themes here. See if you can find them.



The songs are also a delight, as is "Glück, das mir verblieb" {Marietta's Lied) from Korngold's arguably most famous non-film work, the opera Die Tote Stadt". All are enlightened by the beautiful voice and artistry of soprano Barbara Hendricks, yet another artist we hear far too little of.



We hear so precious little on CD these days from the venerable Philadelphia Orchestra, we tend to forget what a wonderful orchestra it is. All are ably conducted here by Franz Welser-Most, born in 1060, who became Music Director of another great American orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, in 2002 (his contract has been extended to 2016. In 2010 he will add the Music Directorship of the Vienna State Opera to his duties.



This is a winner."