Schreker: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 2

Following the first volume in this series, which charted Franz Schreker's developmental path up to the success of his dance-pantomime Der Geburtstag der Infantin (The Birthday of the Infanta; 777 702-2), this second album focuses primarily on the triumphant years that followed the premiere of his opera Der ferne Klang (The Distant Sound) in 1912. The Vorspiel zu einem Drama (Prelude to a Drama) from 1914 and the Chamber Symphony, composed in 1916, are among the gems of musical Jugendstil (Art Nouveau). Originating as offshoots of contemporary stage projects, these two captivating works display a mastery of sound, harmony, and melody that was unparalleled at the time. The Four Small Pieces for Large Orchestra (1931), which separate these older "siblings" on this recording, speak in a new language. These abstract contributions to film music, presented as a compact and multifaceted concert suite, hint at powerful new directions - plans that, sadly, Franz Schreker could never fully realize.