I am no expert of Visual Art, certainly not of Musical Art either, but this cover image certainly gets my mind gears spinning.
This recording nicely divides Schoenberg's music into his early and late periods. The early choral music sounds like Brahms to my ears; the late stuff is pure Schoenberg.
I usually try to make a point to mention whether Schoenberg's music ever sounds forbidding in this music, and it doesn't for me. This simply means there is a means of approach in his tougher music, here slightly acerbic, but not unduly so.
I remember someone telling me Boulez was a bit of a bully, and his followers, when it came to music. I assume if this was true, he softened his stance. But I understand his school of thought and composition certainly held sway, almost blacklisting composers who didn't follow their doctrines of the written score.
I like that Boulez is sharper with Schoenberg's music here, and the BBC Chorus gives a larger symphonic approach to these works. Try some smaller, smoother choruses with this same music, and they will sound completely different, perhaps even more approachable for the aurally ambivalent. For me, I want my modern music to sound modern, so I like Boulez's approach.
Either way, this is not music to ignore. I think it will surprise listeners, especially the early pieces on the first disc, of which, Friede auf Erden might be an early masterpiece. Kol Nidre and A Survivor from Warsaw are harrowing works too, well worth a listen.
The other partsongs are all bite-sized, so they would be ripe for tasting in small amounts, if one were wanting to explore for the first time. Schoenberg as a chooser of text could be fairly unique, and an aspect I think that could use some discussion.
Have I mentioned I love John Shirley-Quirk?
This recording is also notable for the BBC Singers, an ensemble which was nearly disbanded this past year.
A review from 2022
The two faces of Arnold Schoenberg’s music, one of lush,
approachable late-Romanticism, and another of modern,
forbidding-sounding music, get equal time on this 2CD compilation. These
recordings of his choral music, set down in four sessions between 1976
and 1986, feature the BBC Singers in Schoenberg’s a cappella music, as
well as the BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus in the three larger
works Kol Nidre, A Modern Psalm, and A Survivor from Warsaw, all led by
modern-music master, Pierre Boulez. These choral works have since been
packaged up in an 11-disc Schoenberg box set
.
CD 1 compiles all of Schoenberg’s easy-on-the-ears
music. His a cappella masterpiece Friede auf Erden is given a
sharp-edged, intense reading. Where most modern choirs push innate soft
beauty with less vibrato and imperiousness, such as that by Tenebrae, who is quite characterful in this music though, I like that Boulez plays up the opposing discord vs. peace.
The
three sets of part songs and canons on the first CD could easily be
confused with that of Brahms or Hugo Wolf. They are attractive,
wonderfully written, and Schoenberg had a gifted way of writing for
voices. Kol Nidre, for orchestra, chorus, and speaker, is a colourfully
dramatic work whose orchestration is most interesting to listen to. Of
these late-Romantic sounding works, it is only unfortunate that John
Shirley-Quirk is a little far back in the sound, strange especially for a
studio recording.
CD 2 puts together Schoenberg’s modern voice.
Most happily, none of this music is forbidding, but depending on how
familiar you are with this style, may take some time to appreciate. Of
the choral pieces and satires, it is the Six Pieces for men’s choir
where a rare wit comes forth from Schoenberg’s pen, and his choice and
settings of texts are almost incendiary at times. The addition of odd
instrument combinations from the London Sinfonietta really add
atmosphere to their conclusions.
Psalm 130 and Dreimal Tausend
Jahre sound more experimental to my ears. A Modern Psalm 1 and A
Survivor from Warsaw for orchestra, chorus, and speaker are further
interesting works, and in the case of Survivor, a really frightening
recapturing of history. Günther Reich’s speaking really sends the import
of the action, although I don’t consider Reich nor Shirley-Quirk superb
Sprechstimme performers.
The BBC Singers tackle all of the a
cappella music assuredly in music that is terribly difficult. They have a
strong presence of vibrato with a symphonic choral scope, larger voiced
in general, but I found their performances filled with energy and
import. As with Friede auf Erden, I could imagine a modern choir, one
with a smoother technique, really bringing out the beauty and textures
clearly, but perhaps at a loss of the impact and edge that Boulez brings
to Schoenberg’s music. The BBC SO & Chorus sound excellent in their
three selections, works of more gravitas and drama, in my opinion.
There are other collections of Schoenberg’s choral music, such as that by the Stuttgart choir
on Arte Nova
, Accentus, and Nagano. There is also a famous account of Survivor from Warsaw paired with Beethoven’s 9th from Erich Leinsdorf and the BSO to check out.
But for those looking to explore Arnold
Schoenberg’s choral music, this is a lot of music collected here not
easily found together elsewhere, and it is all strongly performed by the
BBC under Pierre Boulez in good sound. Highly Recommended!
Listen on YouTube
Works
Friede auf Erden (9.05)
Kol Nidre (12.26)
Three Folksongs (10.33)
Two Canons after Goethe (3.31)
Three German Folksongs (9.50)
Four Pieces (10.38)
Three Satires (11.08)
Six Pieces (14.51)
Three Thousand Years (3.06)
Psalm 130 (4.30)
Modern Psalm 1 (5.33)
A Survivor from Warsaw (7.26)
Performers
John Shirley-Quirk, baritone
Gunther Reich, narrator
Ensembles
BBC Singers & BBC Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
London Sinfonietta
Pierre Boulez, conductor
Label: Sony
Year: 1976-1986; 1990
Total Timing: 1.45.10
Every collector should have this.
It won't, however, be to everyone's tastes, yet there is nothing forbidding about this music. Only Boulez' sharp style might lead one to another recording, probably for a more sympathetic and modern choral style.
Find more Schoenberg recordings HERE!
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