Zemlinsky - Eine florentinische Tragödie
Alma Mahler - Lieder

Performer:	Iris Vermillion, Albert Dohmen, et al.	Click Image To See Full Size Pic
CD Title:	Zemlinsky - Eine florentinische Tragödie · Alma Mahler - Lieder
Composer:	Alexander von Zemlinsky, Alma Mahler
CD INFO:	London 455-112-2
Reviewer:	Ward Botsford

Listen to A Soundtrack From This CD Excerpt used: Wie er gleich (Otter)

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Review:
Another of London's fascinating series on composers suppressed by the Nazi government.

Hard to know which is the more fascinating, the Zemlinsky or the songs of Mahler's wife. Both can be classed as Freudian in the extreme.

The Zemlinski is based on an Oscar Wilde unfinished play whose plot line can be summarized as follows: Simone finds his wife in bed with another man, he responds weakly to the situation even when his wife - Bianca - tells him she loves Guido. There is a forced challenge to a duel but suddenly Simone strangles Guido with his bare hands. At which Bianca exclaims, "I never knew you were so strong!" Stumbling over Guido's body she falls in the arms of her husband. Well! Makes Salome look like a kiddy's tale.

The music - or at least the orchestration - is more Straussian than Strauss but teeters on the threshold of the Schoenberg era. It needs listening to, yes but make the effort, as it is a commanding piece full of the darkest light, to mix a metaphor. The three principals are excellent and with no sign of vocal strain, which could not have been easy. And Chailly again shows himself to be a dandy conductor. As to the Concertgebouw, well how can one not praise it?

Now as to Alma Mahler's songs: She was a nascent composer when Mahler married her but he discouraged her from the art for many years. It was not until 1910 when he changed his mind and said in effect, "Compose!" Then her talent astounded him.

One wonders what the Master of the Couch would have made of all of this!

In any case, if you are expecting Alma's six songs to sound like Gustav's you will be disappointed. They seem to me to have a melancholy voice all there own and we cannot but regret that so much of her output has been lost.

The orchestrations by the Matthews' seem very satisfactory and the singing of Vermillion - what a lovely name! - Is absolutely first rate/first rate.

An enchanting record for sure with splendid sound, complete texts and excellent notes very much worth the purchase price.