Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht
Mon, Mar 19 2012, 11:08PM
I am listening to Verklarte Nacht for String Sextet and wondering whether you forumites enjoy the barebones version or the full orchestra version? There is even a version for piano trio by one of Schoenberg's pupils.
Tue, Mar 20 2012, 1:14AM
#2
RE: Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht
The orchestral version.
The Karajan, coupled with Pelleas und Melisande.
A classic of the gramophone and one of the greatest recordings that HvK ever made.
Tue, Mar 20 2012, 1:43AM
#3
RE: Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht
I can agree with Troyen on the orchestral version. Karajan is outstanding in producing a superbly refined and, at the same time, bold sound.
However, the original String Sextet version is unique in creating this dark, passionate, overwhelming feeling of this superb score. The Prazak Quartet (with additional musicians) are stunning, in an outstanding recording of Praga Digitals. On the same label, there is a great Piano Trio version, which is quite convincing too, though a bit "naked", in terms of orchestration.
Parla
Tue, Mar 20 2012, 8:19AM
#4
RE: Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht
Do people know the 1988 live Festival Hall recording of the piece from Karajan and the BPO, coupled with a remarkable Brahms 1st Symphony (on Testament)? Inevitably less polished than the older studio version, it's a recording (and a concert) well worth seeking out - a 'legendary' concert as the parlance goes.
Tue, Mar 20 2012, 10:05AM
#5
RE: Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht
Do people know the 1988 live Festival Hall recording of the piece from Karajan and the BPO, coupled with a remarkable Brahms 1st Symphony (on Testament)? Inevitably less polished than the older studio version, it's a recording (and a concert) well worth seeking out - a 'legendary' concert as the parlance goes.
Ah... the only Karajan concert I ever managed to attend. Spectacular - there is no denying Karajan could be smooth on record but live was something else.
Both versions are necessary for a complete understanding of the work. I particularly like the Arditti Quartet - they produced some amazing recordings in the 90s. As for orchestral take your pick.
Tue, Mar 20 2012, 1:34PM
#6
RE: Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht
Hi naupilus - another fine photo - is it a family member?
Tue, Mar 20 2012, 6:54PM
#7
RE: Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht
Now that I think of it, I have the Karajan version, the one coupled with Pélleas et Mélisande, but I have been listening to the one with the LA Phil conducted by Zubin Mehta, I believe. I like listening to the Sextet because I can see the structure of the piece more clearly whereas I get the impression that in the orchestral version it is hidden by the lushness of the strings. Speaking of the Prazak Quartet, they are excellent. I heard them here in little old Tucson, Arizona and they will here during the 2012-2013 season.
Tue, Mar 20 2012, 11:38PM
#8
RE: Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht
Hi naupilus - another fine photo - is it a family member?
My son at the piano last Christmas... his first close encounter with the thunder box.
Wed, Mar 21 2012, 3:39AM
#9
RE: Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht
I must confess that I don't listen too often this Schoenberg's work in either version, but I got a slight preference for the chamber version.
Re recordings, I agree that Karajan on DG is a reference and when it comes to the string sextet version, one should not forget the Hollywood String Quartet (+ guests of course) on Testament, coupled with a superb reading of the Schubert's String Quintet: this disc, imo, is a must to any collector.
Wed, Mar 21 2012, 11:46AM
#10
RE: Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht
one should not forget the Hollywood String Quartet (+ guests of course) on Testament, coupled with a superb reading of the Schubert's String Quintet: this disc, imo, is a must to any collector.
100% agree.I have this recording on a References LP R/S 2nd Brahms Quartet.I much prefer Verklarte Nacht with smaller forces.
Wed, Mar 21 2012, 5:22PM
#11
RE: Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht
However, the Prazak Quartet is a modern "must" for both the Verklarte Nacht as well as the Schubert's magnificent String Quintet, in two different superb recordings on Praga Digitals.
The Piano Trio version, on the same label, is quite convincingly performed.
Parla
Thu, Mar 22 2012, 9:46AM
#12
RE: Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht
The orchestral version.
The Karajan, coupled with Pelleas und Melisande.
A classic of the gramophone and one of the greatest recordings that HvK ever made.
Hear hear!
Thu, Mar 22 2012, 1:38PM
#13
RE: Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht
I have the Mari Iwamoto SQ version with the 2nd string quartet, but I think multiple versions of this masterpiece is quite in order.
Thu, Mar 29 2012, 10:56PM
#14
RE: Schoenberg's Verklarte Nacht
Besides the Juilliard and the Arditti version already mentioned there are two other recordings of the original sextet worth to search for: the LaSalle Quartett with Donals McInnes and Jonathan Pegis (2nd viola and violoncello) on DG 423250 and from members of the Ensemble InterContemporain "supervised" by Pièrre Boulez on Sony SMK 48465 (Boulez also recorded the orchestral version with the New York Philharmoic - though I think here the sextet is much to be preferred).
It is almost unknown that a really stunning recording of the orchestral version was made by the Concertgebouw strings under Otto Klemperer in July 1955. Of course the live recording quality is not up to modern standards but I have never heard the work played with so much expression. It could be called the orchestral equival of the formidable Hollywood String Quartet version for sextet. It is coupled with two other works unfamiliar in the Klemperer discography: the Janacek Sinfonietta and the Bartok Viola Concerto with William Primrose as soloist on the small German label Archiphon (ARC 101). Perhaps we are lucky and Testament or MediciMasters will bring out an reissue once.
I am listening to Verklarte Nacht for String Sextet and wondering whether you forumites enjoy the barebones version or the full orchestra version? There is even a version for piano trio by one of Schoenberg's pupils.