This set brings together two of the great masterpieces of the twentieth century. Alban Berg's Wozzeck has always been difficult for audiences to absorb but since World War II it has been performed with some regularity by all of the major opera houses of the world. On the other hand, Arnold Schoenberg's Erwartung is heard most often in concert because of its length (just about 30 minutes) and it has only one character and little dramatic movement. Both scores are always presented complete both on stage and on recordings so ...
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This set brings together two of the great masterpieces of the twentieth century. Alban Berg's Wozzeck has always been difficult for audiences to absorb but since World War II it has been performed with some regularity by all of the major opera houses of the world. On the other hand, Arnold Schoenberg's Erwartung is heard most often in concert because of its length (just about 30 minutes) and it has only one character and little dramatic movement. Both scores are always presented complete both on stage and on recordings so that is not an issue. More at issue is the accuracy of the singers in finding the notes that Berg wrote. The historic recording conducted by Mitropoulos has a wonderful feeling for the sweep of the opera, but the singers come nowhere near Berg's written pitches. Other recordings are better but this London recording is the first where most of the singers follow Berg's notation. In Wozzeck, Anja Silja is an excellent Marie. In spite of all the hard use the voice retains a youthfulness...
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Add this copy of Berg: Wozzeck [2 Cd] to cart. $15.38, fair condition, Sold by Prime Goods Outlet rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Troy, OH, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Decca.