Barbara Hannigan leads an inspiring and captivating programme circling around Arnold Schoenberg and some of his contemporary colleagues, exploring their significance to 20th century music. With her uncompromising presence, she takes us through a concert in which expressionism, modernism and the thrilling new sound-worlds of chamber music all converge.
Arnold Schoenberg was a true revolutionary, one of modernism’s most influential figures and a teacher of several great twentieth-century composers. His Lieder (songs), composed during the transition between the late-romantic period and early modernism, are presented here in arrangements by Danish composer Hans Abrahamsen, who has gently adapted them to an orchestral format.
Paul Hindemith studied under Schoenberg and developed his own sound, which can be heard clearly in his Kleine Kammermusik and Chamber Music No. 1, pieces in which tradition meets a modern form. Franz Schreker conducted several works by Schoenberg, and was well acquainted with his music. Schreker’s Der Wind is a golden piece for piano quintet from 1909. It reflects the expressive sound that inspired so many composers in Vienna around the turn of the last century.
We also hear exclusive music from the British-Iranian composers Golfam and Hooshyar Khayam, including a specially written new vocal work for Barbara Hannigan.
