Schoenberg's Sheen

[Vox Maris]

Yesterday, I saw Gurreleider and what an outstanding experience that was!  It was beautifully conducted by 88 year old Zubin Mehta who has a very long history with this work.  I knew the music well but not the story but was sitting next to a couple who knew the story very well but not the music so we talked when approproiate.  I knew it was a Wagnerian love story but half way through, my jaw dropped when I discovered Tove was in fact dead.  The music made so much more sense then and I found the story so moving with many goosebump moments.  I wish Schoenberg had composed more music like this but maybe part of what makes this so special is that it is one of a kind.  I do want to hear more of his operas after seeing his sentimental and dramatic storytelling skills!  Really wonderful concert experience, I'm so glad I attended despite the very high prices.

I bet that was an incredible experience, indeed. The reason I believe Schoenberg didn't compose another work like Gurre-Lieder stems from the composer's own personal quest to not repeat himself. Every piece he composed, his goal was to work completely anew. In retrospect, I believe this attitude served him incredibly well, because his oeuvre is so diverse.

[relm1]

I bet that was an incredible experience, indeed. The reason I believe Schoenberg didn't compose another work like Gurre-Lieder stems from the composer's own personal quest to not repeat himself. Every piece he composed, his goal was to work completely anew. In retrospect, I believe this attitude served him incredibly well, because his oeuvre is so diverse.

The program notes said he composed the work in 1900 but set it aside due to its impracticalities and didn't complete the orchestration till 1911 by which time his style had completely changed, and he felt it no longer represented him or his art but wanted it completed due to a partial performance.  Interestingly, his children are apparently still alive and live not far from me.  I guess they're in their 80's.

It also mentions at the premiere that there was a huge ovation since it's a very good work with a great ending but he didn't acknowledge the audience.  It sounded like he didn't do this to insult the audience, but I forgot why he did that.  Will have to re-read the notes.

[brewski]

Yesterday, I saw Gurreleider and what an outstanding experience that was!  It was beautifully conducted by 88 year old Zubin Mehta who has a very long history with this work.  I knew the music well but not the story but was sitting next to a couple who knew the story very well but not the music so we talked when approproiate.  I knew it was a Wagnerian love story but half way through, my jaw dropped when I discovered Tove was in fact dead.  The music made so much more sense then and I found the story so moving with many goosebump moments.  I wish Schoenberg had composed more music like this but maybe part of what makes this so special is that it is one of a kind.  I do want to hear more of his operas after seeing his sentimental and dramatic storytelling skills!  Really wonderful concert experience, I'm so glad I attended despite the very high prices.

Very envious! I saw that this was happening (in Disney Hall, no less) and gave a passing thought to flying out to hear it — assuming tickets were even available. I did see the piece live from Hamburg on Sep. 13, Schoenberg's birthday, which was also opening night of the Elbphilharmonie Orchester. You can watch it here if you're interested, but frankly, If I had gone to the Mehta concert, I wouldn't want to hear it for awhile!

In any case, glad it was a fantastic experience, and that you had conversation with some of the audience, too.

-Bruce

[Vox Maris]

The program notes said he composed the work in 1900 but set it aside due to its impracticalities and didn't complete the orchestration till 1911 by which time his style had completely changed, and he felt it no longer represented him or his art but wanted it completed due to a partial performance.  Interestingly, his children are apparently still alive and live not far from me.  I guess they're in their 80's.

It also mentions at the premiere that there was a huge ovation since it's a very good work with a great ending but he didn't acknowledge the audience.  It sounded like he didn't do this to insult the audience, but I forgot why he did that.  Will have to re-read the notes.

Yes, but we must remember that he did this with several works --- two of which he didn't complete like Moses und Aron and Die Jakobsleiter for example. I believe I remember reading the reason he turned his back on the audience was their applause was for a work that no longer represented his current musical ideas and perhaps felt that the only way he could get applause is if he gives his audience what they wanted instead of what fulfilled him creatively. A lot of this could probably be attributed to the rather hostile reaction his work received after that initial early period. I'm particularly thinking of the Skandalkonzert of 1913 for example, which if you haven't read about, I highly suggest it --- quite fascinating.

[relm1]

Yes, but we must remember that he did this with several works --- two of which he didn't complete for like Moses und Aron and Die Jakobsleiter for example. I believe I remember reading the reason he turned his back on the audience was their applause was for a work that no longer represented his current musical ideas and perhaps felt that the only way he could get applause is if he gives his audience what they wanted instead of what fulfilled him creatively. A lot of this could probably be attributed to the rather hostile reaction his work received after that initial early period. I'm particularly thinking of the Skandalkonzert of 1913 for example, which if you haven't read about, I highly suggest it --- quite fascinating.

Thanks, will check Skandalhonzert out!