Here’s an ideal purchase for the soundtrack fan who’s exploring the roots of their interest. This is 2 discs of the masterful Korngold that cover some of his finest film and non-filmic works, and on the theme of romance too!
The works in question are: Much Ado About Nothing, Escape Me Never, The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Prince and the Pauper, Der Schneeman, Baby Serenade, Symphony in F#, Das Wunder der Heliane, Between Two Worlds, Symphonic Serenade, Die tote Stadt, Passover Psalm, String Quartet No. 2 in E Flat, Songs of the Clown, and Concerto for Violin and Orchestra. That tracklisting demonstrates the consideration with which this has been compiled. Lots of lyrical string passages and horn fanfares sustain a mood of historical splendour and amorous aspirations.
If your only experience of the composer is from Robin Hood or The Sea Hawk, and if you’ve only vaguely heard that John Williams owes something to him, then this needs to be in your collection ASAP. The packaging and information may be a little lean, but the music does all the talking. The pieces are all from different sources, but have been mastered at a uniformly excellent level.
Paul Tonks
Deutsche Grammophon 461 834-2
[Disc One: 77:56 / Disc Two 74:19]
