Zemlinsky: Sämtliche Orchesterlieder

Dive into the rich tapestry of Alexander von Zemlinsky's musical genius with "Zemlinsky: Sämtliche Orchesterlieder," a captivating collection of orchestral songs that span the composer's career. Released in 2000 by Warner Classics, this album is a testament to Zemlinsky's mastery of vocal and orchestral composition, featuring a diverse range of works that showcase his unique voice and innovative spirit.

The album opens with "Waldgespräch," a haunting ballad for soprano, strings, harp, and horns, followed by the delicate "Maiblumen blühten überall" for soprano and string sextet. Zemlinsky's exploration of different vocal and instrumental combinations is evident throughout, with pieces like "Der alte Garten" and "Erdeinsamkeit" offering a glimpse into his early works, while the "Sechs Gesänge op.13" and "Symphonische Gesänge op.20" demonstrate his later evolution and engagement with contemporary themes and texts.

One of the standout features of this album is its live recordings, which capture the raw energy and immediacy of Zemlinsky's music. The performances by renowned artists such as Soile Isokoski, Violeta Urmana, Andreas Schmidt, and Michael Volle, accompanied by the Gürzenich-Orchester Kölner Philharmoniker under the baton of James Conlon, bring these songs to life with stunning clarity and depth.

The album's dark cabaret genre is evident in the evocative and often haunting melodies, which are brought to life by the rich orchestrations and powerful vocal performances. From the intimate settings of "Waldgespräch" to the grander scope of the "Symphonische Gesänge," this album offers a comprehensive overview of Zemlinsky's orchestral song output, making it an essential addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection.

With a duration of over an hour and twelve minutes, "Zemlinsky: Sämtliche Orchesterlieder" is a substantial and rewarding listen, offering a deep dive into the composer's unique musical language and his enduring influence on the world of classical music.