Korngold: Theme & Variations, Op. 42

For many years derided as a mere film composer, Korngold has now achieved recognition as a master of melody, harmony and orchestration in the late romantic tradition. His soaring themes have universal appeal, and his structural expertise and depth of feeling shine out in his powerful Symphony.

Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957) was a child prodigy and the son of one of the most influential critics in Vienna. With the rivalry in that musical city the music of the critic’s son was bound to be viewed harshly by those who had been hurt by the pen of the father – the remark “More Korn than Gold” is, even now, still thrown at his reputation. He did have a remarkable facility in writing a “good tune” – which proved so useful when he settled in Hollywood, after fleeing Nazi-Germany, where he produced many memorable film scores. This collection includes works from his time in Europe and two major pieces composed in the U.S.A. The first group has his Op. 1 – the Piano Trio, completed just before his 13th birthday and the Incidental music to Much Ado About Nothing from 1920, together with two arias from his unashamedly romantic opera Die tote Stadt of 1921. The second group is the Violin Concerto from 1946, the Symphony begun the following year but mostly composed during 1951/2 and the Theme and Variations from 1953.