Hanns Eisler: Leipzig Symphony & Funeral Pieces from Motion Picture Scores CD

World Premiere Recording by MDR-Sinfonieorchester Leipzig and Kammersymphonie Berlin Conducted by Jürgen Bruns

Product Information

• UPC: 845221053684
• Product Type: Classical Music CD (World Premiere Recording)
• Genre: 20th Century Classical, Film Music, Symphonic Music
• Language: Instrumental
• Artists: MDR-Sinfonieorchester Leipzig, Kammersymphonie Berlin
• Conductor: Jürgen Bruns
• Label: Capriccio / Deutschlandfunk Kultur
• Recording Dates: August 15–16, 2018 (Leipzig); November 9, 2015 (Berlin)
• Format: Audio CD
• Duration: Approx. 63 minutes
• Catalog Number: LC 08748

Overview

This remarkable release presents the world premiere recording of Hanns Eisler’s Leipzig Symphony (1958–1962), meticulously reconstructed and completed by composer Tilo Medek (1940–2006). The symphony unfolds over nearly 20 minutes, showcasing Eisler’s distinct style—imbued with political consciousness and lyrical intensity.

Alongside the symphony, the album features Funeral Pieces arranged from Eisler’s motion picture scores (1961–1962) by Jürgen Bruns and Tobias Faßhauer (2015), including the poignant Nuit et Brouillard (Night and Fog) (1955), a film score recognized for its profound reflection on the Holocaust. These tracks are performed by the MDR-Sinfonieorchester Leipzig and the Kammersymphonie Berlin under the masterful baton of Jürgen Bruns.

This release represents a vital contribution to 20th-century music discography, illuminating Eisler’s complex voice and his role as a composer deeply engaged with historical and social realities.

Product Features

• Format & Duration: Audio CD, approx. 63 minutes total
• Instrumentation: Full symphony orchestra
• Recording Venues: MDR Leipzig and Konzerthaus Berlin, Kleiner Saal
• Recording Engineers: Martin Staffe, Robert Baldowski, Gideon Boss, Stefan Haberfeld, Regine Kraus
• Recording Supervision: Stefan Antonin
• Producers: Stefan Lang (Deutschlandfunk Kultur), Johannes Kernmayer (Capriccio)
• Label: Capriccio in cooperation with Deutschlandfunk Kultur
• Publisher: Breitkopf und Härtel
• Cover Photo: © juliusE/stock.adobe.com

Interesting Facts

• World Premiere: This is the first-ever complete recording of Eisler’s Leipzig Symphony in its reconstructed form by Tilo Medek, a significant 20th-century German composer and friend of Eisler.
• Film Score Legacy: The album includes pieces from Eisler’s renowned film Night and Fog, widely regarded as one of the most powerful artistic responses to the Holocaust.
• Arrangements: Funeral Pieces arranged by Jürgen Bruns and Tobias Faßhauer give new life to Eisler’s film music, showcasing its orchestral depth beyond cinema.
• Conductor Expertise: Jürgen Bruns is noted for his insightful interpretations of 20th-century repertoire, bringing sensitivity and precision to Eisler’s challenging music.

Track Listing (Selected Works)

• Leipzig Symphony (Reconstructed by Tilo Medek) [19:37]
• Trauerstücke aus Filmpartituren (Funeral Pieces from Film Scores, arr. Bruns & Faßhauer) [13:33]
• Nuit et Brouillard / Night and Fog (Original Motion Picture Score) [30:19]

Publishers

Published by Breitkopf und Härtel and released by Capriccio in co-production with Deutschlandfunk Kultur, Vienna, 2015–2019. All rights reserved.

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Hashtags

• English: #HannsEisler #LeipzigSymphony #NightAndFog #FuneralPieces #JürgenBruns #MDRSinfonieorchesterLeipzig #KammersymphonieBerlin #DeutschlandfunkKultur #Capriccio #20thCenturyClassical #FilmMusic