Gustav Mahler & Alban Berg: Kindertotenlieder & Violin Concerto — Chamber Ensemble Arrangements CD

MAHLER: Kindertotenlieder BERG: Altenberg Lieder · Violinkonzert

ASSOCIATION FOR PRIVATE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES: "Every glance can be expanded into a poem, and every sob into a novel’ – Arnold Schoenberg’s words on the works of the Expressionist period of the Viennese School describe the diction in the atonal works of his pupil Alban Berg. In 1918, a novel and up to today conceptionally exciting form of event was established with the Association for Private Musical Performances in Vienna. A dominant practice in the cultivation of repertoire was the artistically high-quality arrangement of large orchestral works for piano and smaller ensembles. These historical conditions served as the inspiration for this production with works by Gustav Mahler and Alban Berg, here in new interpretations by three composers of our time. Due to his supplements to Schoenberg’s arrangements of Mahler orchestral songs, Rainer Riehn has gained a wealth of experience with the arrangement practice of the association and reinterprets Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder. Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto, a musical epitaph, was rearranged for the Linos Ensemble by the composer and arranger Andreas N. Tarkmann. Finally, the arrangement for chamber orchestra of Berg’s Altenberg-Lieder goes back to the Danish composer and music theorist Diderik Wagenaar. 

Product Information

• UPC: 8452210513528
• Product Type: Audio CD
• Format: Digital Recording
• Genre: Classical / 20th Century Chamber Music

• Works Included:

  • Kindertotenlieder by Gustav Mahler (1860–1911), arranged for chamber ensemble by Arnold Schönberg and Rainer Riehn
  • Violin Concerto by Alban Berg (1885–1935), arranged for chamber ensemble by Arnold Schönberg and Andreas N. Tarkmann
  • Altenberg Lieder by Alban Berg, arranged for chamber ensemble by Arnold Schönberg and Diderik Wagenaar

• Text Sources:

  • Kindertotenlieder text by Friedrich Rückert
  • Altenberg Lieder text by Peter Altenberg

• Performers:

  Production: Coproduction Deutschlandfunk and Capriccio
  • Marion Eckstein (Mezzo-Soprano)
  • Winfried Rademacher (Violin)
  • LINOS Ensemble
• Catalog Number: C5135
• Publisher: Capriccio (©2009/2013), Vienna, Austria
• Cover Photo: "Ophelia" by William Oxer
• Design: sowiesodesign.de
• Made in Austria
• Website: www.capriccio.at

Overview

This remarkable album presents chamber ensemble arrangements of monumental 20th-century works by Gustav Mahler and Alban Berg, curated by Arnold Schönberg and later arrangers Rainer Riehn, Andreas N. Tarkmann, and Diderik Wagenaar.

Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder (Songs on the Death of Children), set to the poignant poetry of Friedrich Rückert, is sensitively arranged for chamber ensemble, bringing new intimacy to this profound song cycle. Alban Berg’s Violin Concerto, a landmark of the Second Viennese School, is presented in a chamber arrangement emphasizing clarity and chamber music textures.

Additionally, Berg’s Altenberg Lieder, settings of Peter Altenberg’s poetry, are also arranged for chamber ensemble, providing a unique glimpse into Berg’s early vocal style and expressionism.

Performed by mezzo-soprano Marion Eckstein, violinist Winfried Rademacher, and the LINOS Ensemble, this recording captures the subtle dynamics and emotional depth of these re-imagined masterpieces.

Product Features

• Format: Audio CD
• Genre: 20th Century Chamber Music
• Language: German (vocal works)
• Instrumentation: Chamber ensemble arrangements featuring mezzo-soprano, violin, and instrumentalists
• Performers: Marion Eckstein (mezzo-soprano), Winfried Rademacher (violin), LINOS Ensemble
• Production: High-quality digital recording (Coproduction Deutschlandfunk and Capriccio)
• Duration: Approximate total length not specified

Interesting Facts

• Arrangement Origins: Arnold Schönberg, a pioneering figure of modernism, arranged these works for chamber ensemble to allow performances in smaller venues and with greater intimacy.
• Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder: Originally scored for large orchestra, these arrangements bring new transparency and immediacy to the sorrowful and reflective nature of the cycle.
• Berg’s Violin Concerto: The chamber arrangement by Schönberg and Tarkmann highlights the concerto’s intricate tonal architecture and lyrical passages.
• Altenberg Lieder: Berg’s early vocal works are seldom performed; these arrangements offer a rare opportunity to explore this expressive repertoire.
• Artists: Marion Eckstein is acclaimed for her warm mezzo-soprano voice and emotional expressivity, while Winfried Rademacher’s violin performance is praised for technical brilliance and nuance.

Track Listing

(See booklet for full details and timings)

Publishers

© 2009/2013 Capriccio, Vienna, Austria Coproduction Deutschlandfunk – Capriccio Design by sowiesodesign.de Cover photo "Ophelia" © William Oxer Made in Austria

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Hashtags

• English: #GustavMahler #Kindertotenlieder #AlbanBerg #ViolinConcerto #ArnoldSchoenberg #RainerRiehn #AndreasTarkmann #DiderikWagenaar #LINOSEnsemble #Capriccio

• German: #GustavMahler #Kindertotenlieder #AlbanBerg #Violinkonzert #ArnoldSchönberg #RainerRiehn #AndreasTarkmann #DiderikWagenaar #LINOSEnsemble #Capriccio