Berg by Arrangement
These arrangements for string orchestra of works by Alban Berg — some by Berg himself, others by later musicians — chart his development as a composer, from prentice pieces composed under the tutelage of Arnold Schoenberg to the rich, mature style of one of his masterpieces, the Lyric Suite, written to express an impassioned and illicit love.
Ernst Kovacic, conductor
NFM Leopoldinum Chamber Orchestra, chamber orchestra
Listen To This Recording:
- Piano Sonata, Op. 1 (1908, arr. 2011)
- Menuet in D minor
- Adagio in F major
- Sarabande in F major
- Variations on an Original Theme in D major
- Adagio in D minor, ‘On a Poem of Dehmel’
- Menuet in C minor
- Kanon (1930, arr. 1987)
- I Allegretto giovale
- II Andante amoroso
- III Allegro misterioso
- IV Adagio appassionato
- V Presto delirando
- VI Largo desolato
Early Pieces (1904–7, arr. 2014)
Lyric Suite (1925–26, arr. 1927, 2005)
The Sunday Time :
‘Berg’s Opus 1 Piano Sonata in Wijnand van Klaveren’s powerful adaptation is almost more impressive than the original: an astringent threnody.’
—Paul Driver, The Sunday Times
Guardian :
‘[…]efficiently played curiosities.’
—Andrew Clements, Guardian
American Record Guide :
‘The Lyric Suite is played complete. It gains from the extra players, not only in obvious richness of sound, but in nuances of phrasing. The arrangements accomplish a broad range of expressive tonecolor, with nearly every conceivable string effect on display. In the trickier parts where there are several extremely chromatic legato lines playing against one another, they play accurately and in tune. The album is a curiosity for a limited audience, but they’ll be happy.’
—American Record Guide