"Nachhall - Othmar Schoeck Orchesterlieder" is a captivating journey through the musical landscape of Swiss composer Othmar Schoeck, celebrated for his significant contributions to the late Romantic era. This album, released on February 10, 2024, under the iMD-Schweizer Fonogramm label, features a stunning collection of 22 tracks, spanning a total duration of 1 hour and 2 minutes.
The centerpiece of the album is the late cycle "Nachhall, Op. 70," composed between 1954 and 1955. This series of songs, set to poems by Lenau and Claudius, showcases Schoeck's mastery of orchestral accompaniment and his deep understanding of the human voice. The album also includes world premiere recordings of early song cycles from Op. 4 and Op. 17, arranged by conductor Graziella Contratto, offering a unique perspective on Schoeck's early compositions.
Performances are led by the esteemed Berner Symphonieorchester, with vocal contributions from soprano Olena Tokar and baritone Stephan Genz. The album highlights Schoeck's prolific output, with nearly 400 orchestral songs to his credit, cementing his status as one of the most important song composers of the 20th century. This release is a testament to Schoeck's enduring legacy and his ability to blend poetic lyricism with rich orchestration, making it an essential addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection."