Alexander von Zemlinsky • Lyrische Symphonie op. 18 • Bernhard Klee

★★★★

   Orchestral cycle of songs was undeniably one of greatest achievements of musical culture in romantic period. Although its formal idea has long evolution between early romantic songs, late-romantic cantata and postromantic symphony with vocal parts and various works for voice and orchestra, it was late Romanticism when development of symphonic cycle of songs resulted as independent form. Best examples were all cycles of orchestral songs by Gustav Mahler and cycles like Vier letzte Lieder by Richard Strauss, or Gurre-Lieder by Arnold Schoenberg. From perspective of symphonic cycle also symphonies by Gustav Mahler played significant role for numerous references to romantic song forms. In this context special role played Das Lied von der Erde as it was the synthesis uniting symphonic cycle of songs and romantic symphony. Lyrical Symphony composed in 1923 by Alexander von Zemlinsky belongs to most famous implementations of this idea.

   Composer, conductor and teacher, Alexander von Zemlinsky was one of key figures of Viennese culture in last decade of 19th and first decades of 20th century. Born in Vienna in multicultural family, Zemlinsky started composer’s career as student of Johann Nepomuk Fuchs and Anton Bruckner. He was composing in postromantic style, continuing the style of Johannes Brahms, whom Zemlinsky personally met and who gave young composer strong support. At the turn of the century he was part of Vienese modernistic movement with Gustav Mahler who conducted premiere of his opera Es war einmal. These two were connected on private level since Mahler married Zemlinsky’s beloved Alma Schindler. Alexander von Zemlinsky was close friend and brother-in-law with Arnold Schoenberg who was his student of counterpoint and long time co-worker. One of Zemlinsky’s pupils was Erich Wolfgang Korngold, recommended him as infant prodigy by Gustav Mahler.

Alexander von Zemlinsky • Lyrische Symphonie op. 18 • Klee (1981)

   The list of Zemlinsky’s works includes songs, symphonic, chamber and piano music and eight operas and stage works like Ein Tanzpoem (Dance Poem) and Mime drama Ein Lichtstrahl (Ray of Light). Completed in December 1919 one act opera Der Zwerg (The Dwarf) was his reaction for breaking engagement by Alma Schindler. Probably the best-known works by Zemlinsky are compositions for voice and orchestra: Waldgespräch with words by Joseph von Eichendorff, Sechs Gesänge after poems by Maurice Maeterlinck Op. 13, Symphonische Gesänge Op. 20 to the lyrics by afroamerican poets and Lyrical Symphony Op. 18. Symphonic intensity and power of poetry gave all modernist composers wide means of expression.
   Most popular work by Alexander von Zemlinsky was Lyrical Symphony for baritone, soprano and orchestra in Seven Cantos to Texts by Nobel’s Prize laureate Rabindranath Tagore. It was written in 1922 and 1923, and lyrical cycle was set of seven poems translated by Hans Effenberger. Baritone and soprano voices take their own parts in narrative, creating dramatic tension. The main composer’s idea was to place these songs into cycle corresponding with formal scheme of symphony. But final effect is closer to symphonic poem, including cantos which can be understand as consecutive images of mystical voyage and developing symbolic vision of human faith. Performance of Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin conducted by Bernhard Klee features baritone Dale Duesing and soprano Elisabeth Söderström. Recording was made between June 30 and July 2nd, 1980 in Berlin, Jesus-Christus-Kirche and published next year in Dusseldorf by Schwann Musica Mundi label.

Boulez – Mahler – Waldmärchen

Gustav Mahler, born in 1860 was undeniably one of greatest composers in history of symphonic music. But he was also artist immersed in the historical process who concluded romanticism with great works being both recapitulation of romantic ideas and opening to forthcoming modern music. His first full range composition which he called his “first opus” was composed between 1878 and 1880 and it was cantata called Das klagende Lied (Song of Lamentation) – huge three-movement, nearly 70 minutes long romantic cantata, composed to his own lyrics. These early Mahler’s visions were close to the canonic themes in German romantic literature and visual arts. The main idea has been taken directly from fairytale Das klagende Lied by Ludwig Bechstein but the plot has been written by Mahler in his own poem.
The plot of Das klagende Lied is derived from popular in romantic culture story about the queen, who promised marriage to someone who will go to the deep forest and will find a very rare red flower. Two brothers set off in search of plant – one fair and noble, the other an unscrupulous opportunist. When honest finds the flower, the consequence is a treacherous death from the hands of dishonest and jealous brother. Following the crime he takes the brother’s prize and marries the queen. However, the wandering minstrel finds bones of the murdered brother and is making the pipe singing whole tragic story. Minstrel goes to the castle and interrupts the wedding ceremony. Scene breaks out, all quarrel and in this pandemonium the castle collapses into the ground. 

Boulez – Mahler – Waldmärchen (1970) 

The first version of Mahler's cantata was composition in three parts, but soon he began to perform it without the first and most extensive movement. First part takes 30 minutes what takes almost half of whole cantata duration. The reason was not only the scale of the first episode. Whole story was still readable when told after hideous act of fratricide, maybe even more mysterious, and this is what always has given a chance for more general associations.  Author’s decision of reduction the work to second and third movements can be understand but still Waldmärchen is great work, even as standalone piece. Comparing to the other two movements, first part shows more ease narrative style where elegiac and lyric elements interlace with dramatic and emotional episodes. 

When tenor Ernst Haefliger chants the first line of cantata text – “Es war ein stolze Königin” – it’s just like an invitation to recall mystery feelings of a child hearing a tale about proud queen and her strange request. Originl idea is to arrange vocal parts in instrumental way. Text of Mahler’s poem has been divided to small particles sung by various sets of vocal staff. Narration about queen is sung by male voices, after tenor and choir comes bass Gerd Nienstedt. Then history of finding the flower and murder is told by soprano Elisabeth Soederstroem, mezzo-soprano Grace Hoffman and choir. 

Illustrative resources are so much diverse as far from literality. In many stylistic solutions this music is close to Richard Wagner’s style. No wonder. In his student years Mahler was clearly influenced by Wagner’s ideas of music and narration. Later, when he became famous conductor, director of Viennese Hofoper and Vienna Philharmonic, Gustav Mahler remained faithful to his esthetic choices and one of best interpreters of Wagner’s works. In his mature works he became more polyphonic and spectrum of his expression was much wider but he was still close to the idea of narrative music. Wagnerian inspirations were clearly dominating over young Mahler’s style. This relationship can be observed on many levels from formation of lyrics, through characteristic references like leitmotiv technique and totality of orchestration, to the precedent idea of whole composition’s narratives reflecting in work’s structure. 

It was good idea to collate Mahler’s first and early works on opposite sides of one album. Waldmärchen from Das klagende Lied and Adagio from his final 10th Symphony are frame closing one of most original visions of romantic symphonic music and despite composers untimely death it shows how consistently he was developing his music. In Pierre Boulez interpretation both works are sparkling like a precious stones. London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus sound perfectly clear and massive. Great solo voices gave this part of cantata an additional dimension of narrative contents. It’s worth to notice this was premiere recording of Waldmärchen in the history and unlike many premiere recordings, this one is probably the best.