Walter Braunfels - Phantastische Erscheinungen; Serenade (Dennis Russell Davies)

Information

Composer: Walter Braunfels

• (01) Phantastische Erscheinungen eines Themas von Hector Berlioz, Op. 25
• (14) Serenade, Op. 20

Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
Dennis Russell Davies, conductor

Date: 2004
Label: cpo

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Review

ARTISTIC QUALITY: 10 / SOUND QUALITY: 10

A popular composer in Germany prior to World War II, Walter Braunfels (1882-1954) will be best known to music lovers thanks to Decca’s recording of his very beautiful opera The Birds. This release builds on that favorable impression, and then some. Phantastische Erscheinungen eines Themas von Hector Berlioz (Fantastic Appearances of a Theme by Hector Berlioz) is a giant set of variations on Mephistopheles’ “Song of the Flea” from The Damnation of Faust. And if this fact alone isn’t enough to whet your appetite, then I’m not sure what will. Structurally the work has something in common with Strauss’ Don Quixote–on LSD. The orchestral technique also is quite similar, recognizably German school, with luscious writing for violins and horns, occasional outbursts of extreme virtuosity all around, and a discerning but minimal use of additional percussion.

However, it’s clear that Braunfels has given a good deal of thought to both the composer and the source of his theme. There’s a healthy touch of humor, real grotesquerie in the quicker movements (No. 11 and the finale particularly), and the woodwinds frequently have the chance to snap and chatter in a recognizably Berliozian manner. Braunfels also includes an absolutely terrifying funeral march (third movement), followed by something that approaches Korngold in melodious luxury. He composed 12 “Erscheinungen” in all, though this performance omits No. 9, which the booklet tells us was standard practice back when the work was played (though it strikes me as something of a pity to leave it out on a recording). They are genuinely delightful, one and all, and the better you know your Berlioz (and Tchaikovsky, and Strauss), the more fun you’ll have.

Certainly at nearly 49 minutes, there’s plenty of musical invention on display, sumptuously scored and very capably played by Dennis Russell Davies and the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. Special credit has to go to the orchestra’s comedians, the contrabassoon and tuba, who have a lot of work to do and who not only play extremely well, but who have a conductor who is not afraid to give them the prominence that they deserve. As a coupling, the Serenade is more than a make-weight filler. It’s a very attractive piece that once again demonstrates Braunfels’ skill in writing what is without question very beautiful music, obviously of its time and place, but without sounding quite like anyone else. Like the music of his contemporary Emil von Reznicek, which CPO is exploring with similar success, this is music that ought never to have vanished from the concert stage, and I can’t recommend this powerfully recorded, evocative release highly enough. Wonderful! [1/3/2005]

-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday

More reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2005/Mar05/Braunfels_Berlioz.htm
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/mar/18/classicalmusicandopera.shopping2
https://www.allmusic.com/album/walter-braunfels-phantastische-erscheinungen-op-25-serenade-op-20-mw0001386926
https://www.amazon.com/Walter-Braunfels-Phantastische-Erscheinungen-Serenade/dp/B01KBIGT9G

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Walter Braunfels (19 December 1882 – 19 March 1954) was a German composer, pianist, and music educator. Composing music in the German classical-romantic tradition, Braunfels was well known as a composer between the two World Wars but fell into oblivion after his death. There is now something of a renaissance of interest in his works. His opera Die Vögel, based on the play The Birds by Aristophanes, was recorded and has been successfully revived. Braunfels composed music in a number of different genres, not only operas, but also songs, choral works and orchestral, chamber and piano pieces.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Braunfels

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Dennis Russell Davies (born April 16, 1944 in Toledo, Ohio) is an American conductor and pianist. He studied piano and conducting at the Juilliard School, where he received his doctorate. Davies was General Music Director of the Baden-Württemberg State Opera House (1980-87), and also held posts with the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Beethovenhalle Bonn, and the Vienna RSO. Davies was chief conductor of the Bruckner Orchestra Linz (2002-17), music director of the Sinfonieorchester Basel (2009-17), and is currently principal conductor of the the Brno Philharmonic.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Russell_Davies
http://dennisrusselldavies.com/en/

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