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Braunfels: Phantastische Erscheinungen, Serenade / Davies, Vienna Radio SO
CPO

Braunfels: Phantastische Erscheinungen, Serenade / Davies, Vienna Radio SO

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Details

Composer
BRAUNFELS WALTER
Artist
Dennis Russell Davies
Format
CD
Label
CPO
Released
Nov 15, 2005
Catalog #
999882-2
UPC
761203988228

About


A popular composer in Germany prior to World War II, Walter Braunfels (1882-1954) will be best known to music lovers thanks to Decca's recording of his very beautiful opera The Birds. This release builds on that favorable impression, and then some. Phantastische Erscheinungen eines Themas von Hector Berlioz (Fantastic Appearances of a Theme by Hector Berlioz) is a giant set of variations on Mephistopheles' "Song of the Flea" from The Damnation of Faust. And if this fact alone isn't enough to whet your appetite, then I'm not sure what will. Structurally the work has something in common with Strauss' Don Quixote--on LSD. The orchestral technique also is quite similar, recognizably German school, with luscious writing for violins and horns, occasional outbursts of extreme virtuosity all around, and a discerning but minimal use of additional percussion.


However, it's clear that Braunfels has given a good deal of thought to both the composer and the source of his theme. There's a healthy touch of humor, real grotesquerie in the quicker movements (No. 11 and the finale particularly), and the woodwinds frequently have the chance to snap and chatter in a recognizably Berliozian manner. Braunfels also includes an absolutely terrifying funeral march (third movement), followed by something that approaches Korngold in melodious luxury. He composed 12 "Erscheinungen" in all, though this performance omits No. 9, which the booklet tells us was standard practice back when the work was played (though it strikes me as something of a pity to leave it out on a recording). They are genuinely delightful, one and all, and the better you know your Berlioz (and Tchaikovsky, and Strauss), the more fun you'll have.


Certainly at nearly 49 minutes, there's plenty of musical invention on display, sumptuously scored and very capably played by Dennis Russell Davies and the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. Special credit has to go to the orchestra's comedians, the contrabassoon and tuba, who have a lot of work to do and who not only play extremely well, but who have a conductor who is not afraid to give them the prominence that they deserve. As a coupling, the Serenade is more than a make-weight filler. It's a very attractive piece that once again demonstrates Braunfels' skill in writing what is without question very beautiful music, obviously of its time and place, but without sounding quite like anyone else. Like the music of his contemporary Emil von Reznicek, which CPO is exploring with similar success, this is music that ought never to have vanished from the concert stage, and I can't recommend this powerfully recorded, evocative release highly enough. Wonderful! [1/3/2005]
--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 17 tracks

  1. 1 I. Einleitung: Allegretto con fuoco 00:29
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Einleitung: Allegretto con fuoco
    Duration
    00:29
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  2. 2 II. Thema 01:33
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Thema
    Duration
    01:33
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  3. 3 III. Moderato 02:02
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Moderato
    Duration
    02:02
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  4. 4 IV. Gemessen 04:32
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Gemessen
    Duration
    04:32
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  5. 5 V. Mit Breite, doch nicht langsam und etwas frei 06:02
    Track
    5
    Title
    V. Mit Breite, doch nicht langsam und etwas frei
    Duration
    06:02
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  6. 6 VI. Andante 03:07
    Track
    6
    Title
    VI. Andante
    Duration
    03:07
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  7. 7 VII. Ruhig 03:55
    Track
    7
    Title
    VII. Ruhig
    Duration
    03:55
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  8. 8 VIII. Sehr schnell 04:08
    Track
    8
    Title
    VIII. Sehr schnell
    Duration
    04:08
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  9. 9 IX. Lebhaft, sehr schnell 03:54
    Track
    9
    Title
    IX. Lebhaft, sehr schnell
    Duration
    03:54
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  10. 10 X. Lebhaft 00:55
    Track
    10
    Title
    X. Lebhaft
    Duration
    00:55
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  11. 11 XI. Moderato 05:31
    Track
    11
    Title
    XI. Moderato
    Duration
    05:31
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  12. 12 XII. Breit und wuchtig 05:02
    Track
    12
    Title
    XII. Breit und wuchtig
    Duration
    05:02
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  13. 13 XIII. Finale: Lebhaft 07:33
    Track
    13
    Title
    XIII. Finale: Lebhaft
    Duration
    07:33
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  14. 14 I. Leicht bewegt 08:07
    Track
    14
    Title
    I. Leicht bewegt
    Duration
    08:07
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  15. 15 II. Lebhaft, ausgelassen 03:10
    Track
    15
    Title
    II. Lebhaft, ausgelassen
    Duration
    03:10
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  16. 16 III. Ruhig (attacca 4. satz) 10:17
    Track
    16
    Title
    III. Ruhig (attacca 4. satz)
    Duration
    10:17
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies
  17. 17 IV. (Die Achtel fast so rasch wie bisher die Viertel) 04:05
    Track
    17
    Title
    IV. (Die Achtel fast so rasch wie bisher die Viertel)
    Duration
    04:05
    Composer
    Walter Braunfels
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Dennis Russell Davies