Customer Rating : 
List Price : $45.49 Price : $39.99
List Price : $45.49 Price : $39.99
Amazon.com essential recording
This collection presents all Webern's works with opus numbers in chronological order, allowing listeners to scrutinize the inner workings of this influential composer's intense, compressed style from the lush Passacaglia to the starkness of his late vocal works. A broadcast recording of Webern conducting a group of Schubert Dances makes a lively bonus. --Jed Distler
Anton Webern: Complete Works, Opp. 1-31 Reviews
Anton Webern: Complete Works, Opp. 1-31 Reviews
| 23 of 26 people found the following review helpful  Boulez's Webern -- brilliant modern miniatures, By Amazon Verified Purchase This review is from: Anton Webern: Complete Works, Opp. 1-31 (Audio CD) All 31 works that Webern gave official Opus numbers on 3 discs, conducted by Boulez (not Kolbe!), with the Juilliard Quartet and the London Symphony Orchestra, and a superb booklet with commentary and lyrics -- so why only 4 stars? My objection is the strictly chronological presentation, and the fact that I am not won over by Webern's vocal works -- I would vastly prefer grouping the music by form. Everything is brilliantly performed, and Charles Rosen, who accompanies sopranos on piano on several pieces, plays with sparkling luminosity. But the reason I sought out this collection is because I wanted to hear Boulez's versions of Webern's masterpieces, the "Symphony (Op. 21)" and "Variations for Orchestra (Op. 30)," as well as the string trios and quartets. Here these instrumental works are mixed among the lieders, Webern's many vocal works, and I find this frustrating. I prefer hearing the instrumental pieces grouped together, as on the Dohnanyi or Sinopoli discs of orchestral works... Read more 11 of 11 people found the following review helpful  5 Stars if not 6! The Definitive Webern collection., By A Customer This review is from: Anton Webern: Complete Works, Opp. 1-31 (Audio CD) Enter the world of Anton Webern... if you dare! If you are interested in the music of the New Viennese School, this collection is a must! Every primary work of the master of small forms himself, Anton Webern, is superbly performed and recorded in this collection under the exacting hand of Pierre Boulez, a quintessential modern Webern authority. When I first purchased this collection (on vinyl) in the mid 80's, I couldn't stop listening to it for a moment. Webern's Opus 1 'Passacaglia' is absolutely stupendous in its strident expression of violent passion and volatile climaxes. The early song collections, particularly Op. 3 and 4, are stunning gems of lapidary precision and balance. Webern speaks volumes in a few latticed phrases that other composers struggled all their lives to convey unconvincingly in gigantic opera and symphonies. From beginning to end this collection testifies to Webern's singular talent and ability as a craftsman of exceptionally refined musical forms... Read more 10 of 10 people found the following review helpful Aged well, By This review is from: Anton Webern: Complete Works, Opp. 1-31 (Audio CD) It is hard to believe that the originals of these recordings are about 30 years old or so. The sound is very clear and precise without having a dry recorded-in-the-living-room sound. In fact, the Six Orchestral Pieces sounds clearer and sharper than some more recent recordings that I've heard. I do wish though that the accompanying booklet would comment more on the emotions and poetic themes in Webern's music. It is not all just about permutations of series. In fact, dwelling on these mathematical aspects of the music helps to perpetuate a stereotype about Webern's music having no emotional component at all. Anyone who listens sympathetically, however, most realize that the emotions in the music are intense indeed -- even overpowering to the sensitive and open-minded listener. |
› See all 11 customer reviews...
No comments:
Post a Comment