Korngold: Symphony in F sharp major, Op. 40

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.

Combining a popular masterwork with a rare discovery piece, this Erich Korngold album couples the monumental Symphony in F sharp with the world première of the 8-minute Tänzchen im alten Stil.

Erich W. Korngold (1897–1957) was as an Austro-Hungarian composer with Jewish roots who became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1943; his success as a Hollywood film composer culminated in two Academy Awards.

The 50-minute Symphony in F sharp major, Op. 40, is Korngold’s only symphony, written in a late Romantic style. Composed between 1947–1952, it is dedicated to the memory of Franklin D. Roosevelt (died 1945). In 1959, Dimitri Mitropoulos wrote: “All my life I have searched for the perfect modern work. In this symphony I have found it.”

In 1919, 22-year-old Korngold wrote Tänzchen im alten Stil during his military service in World War I. The world première performance of this rediscovered work took place in Jyväskylä, Finland, in 2007 under John Storgårds, who on this CD conducts the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.

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.

Korngold began working on his 1st symphony in Vienna in 1951 and completed it in 1952. The work summarized his whole life, which had been lived between two worlds: opera and film and between Europe and the United States. It was intended as a tribute to his “refuge” America and was dedicated to President Roosevelt. Albrecht has been acclaimed for his commitment to 20th century music.

80th birthday Celebration of a Complete Musician - conductor, pianist, composer and educator. One of the few! To celebrate his 80th birthday (6 April 2009) André Previn has selected his favourite Deutsche Grammophon and Decca recordings to produce this remarkable 6-CD set. In addition to works by Ravel, Strauss, Korngold and Shostakovich, there is a liberal sprinkling of compositions by the artist himself – among the highlights, the world-première of his Double Concerto for Violin and Contrabass, with soloists Anne-Sophie Mutter and Roman Patkoló, recorded live in Boston in April 2007.

"Some performers make it all about themselves …while André puts the music first" Barbara Bonney (Gramophone 2008)

André Previn's personal selection of his Deutsche Grammophon and Decca recordings includes the first release of the world-première live recording of Previn’s Double Concerto for violin and contrabass, with soloists Anne-Sophie Mutter and Roman Patkoló. Also features Renée Fleming (compositions by Previn), Vladimir Ashkenazy (Previn's Piano Concerto), Kya-Whung Chung (Prokofiev Violin Concerto no. 1). Anne-Sophie Mutter is also soloist in Korngold and Previn Violin Concertos.