Walter Braunfels' "Die Vögel" is a captivating exploration of chamber music, presented in a two-disc set that spans over two hours of enchanting compositions. This album is a testament to Braunfels' mastery of the genre, offering a rich and immersive experience for both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers to his work.
Originally premiered in 1920, "Die Vögel" is an opera based on the play by Aristophanes, featuring both the score and libretto crafted by Walter Braunfels himself. The opera enjoyed significant success upon its debut and has since been recognized for its unique blend of humor, satire, and profound musical depth. This 1996 recording, conducted by Lothar Zagrosek, brings the opera to life with a meticulous attention to detail and a vibrant energy that resonates through each track.
The album comprises a detailed and intricate tracklist, divided into two acts, each filled with a variety of musical scenes and arias. From the delicate "Vorspiel und Prolog" to the dramatic "Krieg! Krieg! Krieg mit unerhörter Gewalt," the opera weaves a tapestry of sounds that reflect the whimsical and thought-provoking narrative of Aristophanes' original work. The performances are impeccable, showcasing the talents of the orchestra and vocalists who bring Braunfels' vision to life.
Walter Braunfels, a composer whose career was marked by both triumph and adversity, pours his artistic soul into "Die Vögel." His ability to adapt Aristophanes' comedy into a rich operatic experience is evident in every note. The album is a celebration of his genius and a reminder of his enduring legacy in the world of classical music.
"Die Vögel" is a stunning addition to any classical music collection, offering a deep dive into the world of chamber music and opera. The 1996 recording by Decca Music Group Ltd. ensures that the listener can enjoy the opera in all its glory, with a sound quality that captures the essence of Braunfels' compositions. Whether you are a fan of Walter Braunfels or exploring his work for the first time, this album is a treasure trove of musical brilliance.
Die Vögel / Vorspiel und Prolog: Vorspiel (Langsam und zart)Walter Braunfels, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Vorspiel und Prolog: Ach, ach, ach! Liebwerte Freunde, gegrüßtWalter Braunfels, Hellen Kwon, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 1: Graden Weges meinst du, wo die Bäume stehn?Walter Braunfels, Endrik Wottrich, Michael Kraus, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 1: Wer ist denn da? Ruft hier jemand nach meinem Herrn?Walter Braunfels, Marita Posselt, Michael Kraus, Endrik Wottrich, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 1: Tu auf den Wald, ich will hinausWalter Braunfels, Wolfgang Holzmair, Michael Kraus, Endrik Wottrich, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 1: Zu großen Taten, wie noch seit WeltbestehnWalter Braunfels, Michael Kraus, Wolfgang Holzmair, Endrik Wottrich, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 1: Nun erwach, erwache mir FreundinWalter Braunfels, Wolfgang Holzmair, Hellen Kwon, Endrik Wottrich, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 1: Torotix!Walter Braunfels, Martin Petzold, Norbert Sanger, Christiane Hossfeld, Romelia Lichtenstein, Wolfgang Holzmair, Iris Vermillion, Brigitte Wohlfarth, Hellen Kwon, Ricarda Vollprecht, Uta Schwarze, Herbert Weicker, Marion Nickel, Doris Zucker, Ute Kehrer, Thomas Kober, Hans-Christian Braun, Joachim Vogt, Marita Posselt, Joachim Fiedler, Michael Timm, Wolfgang Dersch, Siegfried Hausmann, Endrik Wottrich, Michael Kraus, Dirk Schmidt, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 1: Himmel, Himmel, Himmel, weh, o wehe, jetzt ergeht'sWalter Braunfels, Michael Kraus, Endrik Wottrich, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 1: Haltet ein, verruchtes VogelzeugWalter Braunfels, Wolfgang Holzmair, Johann-Werner Prein, Hellen Kwon, Marita Posselt, Iris Vermillion, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 1: Wie tut ihr Vöglein mir leidWalter Braunfels, Michael Kraus, Hellen Kwon, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 1: Ach, der Zeit, wir ziehen fortan nicht zum OpferWalter Braunfels, Endrik Wottrich, Wolfgang Holzmair, Michael Kraus, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 1: Dich zu ehren, wohl erbötigWalter Braunfels, Marita Posselt, Iris Vermillion, Hellen Kwon, Endrik Wottrich, Wolfgang Holzmair, Michael Kraus, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: Ah! Ah! Narzissus, zitterst du im Licht?Walter Braunfels, Hellen Kwon, Endrik Wottrich, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: Wer ruft? Wer ruft?Walter Braunfels, Hellen Kwon, Endrik Wottrich, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: Laß mich werden wie duWalter Braunfels, Endrik Wottrich, Hellen Kwon, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: Ich leih dir meinen sinnWalter Braunfels, Hellen Kwon, Endrik Wottrich, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: Horch! Es wehet der Tag heran, ich gehe zu ruh'nWalter Braunfels, Hellen Kwon, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: Hoch steht, Erhaben, was uns freut, unsre Veste,Walter Braunfels, Wolfgang Holzmair, Michael Kraus, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: Was nahet dort für ein froh GewogeWalter Braunfels, Wolfgang Holzmair, Marita Posselt, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: Halt, halt!Walter Braunfels, Wolfgang Holzmair, Michael Kraus, Iris Vermillion, Matthias Goerne, Endrik Wottrich, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: Weit! Weit! Wohl über euch, viel weiter auchWalter Braunfels, Matthias Goerne, Endrik Wottrich, Michael Kraus, Marita Posselt, Wolfgang Holzmair, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: Habt, Kindlein, vom Prometheus ihr gehört?Walter Braunfels, Matthias Goerne, Michael Kraus, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: Krieg! Krieg! Krieg mit unerhörter GewaltWalter Braunfels, Johann-Werner Prein, Matthias Goerne, Wolfgang Holzmair, Michael Kraus, Endrik Wottrich, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: Hei! Hei! Hi! Ah! Wir kommen!Walter Braunfels, Wolfgang Holzmair, Michael Kraus, Johann-Werner Prein, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: Ah! Ah!...Groß ist Zeus! Mächtig ist er!Walter Braunfels, Hellen Kwon, Marita Posselt, Iris Vermillion, Endrik Wottrich, Wolfgang Holzmair, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: Zum Kuckuck, Freund, das war ein SpaßWalter Braunfels, Michael Kraus, Endrik Wottrich, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Die Vögel / Act 2: So ist dies alles denn gewesen, wie?Walter Braunfels, Endrik Wottrich, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lothar Zagrosek
Walter Braunfels, born in Frankfurt in 1882, was a pivotal figure in German music, renowned for his contributions as a composer, pianist, and music educator. Hailing from a musically inclined family, Braunfels' early education was nurtured by his mother, a great-niece of the celebrated composer Louis Spohr. His formal training began with piano studies under James Kwast at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt, followed by composition lessons with Ludwig Thuille in Munich. Braunfels' career flourished between the two world wars, during which he was one of the most frequently performed opera composers of his time. His notable works include the opera "The Birds," based on Aristophanes' comedy, and a rich repertoire of orchestral, chamber, and piano pieces. Despite facing adversity during the Nazi era, when his music was banned and he was labeled a "half-Jew," Braunfels' legacy endures. He also served as the founding director of the Cologne Academy of Music until 1933. His compositions, steeped in the German Classical-Romantic tradition, continue to captivate audiences with their depth and emotional resonance.
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Walter Braunfels
