Fünfzehn Gedichte Aus «Das Buch Der Hängenden Gärten» Von Stefan George Op. 15 / Fünf Lieder Nach Gedichten Von Stevan George Op. 4

This recording features two pivotal works from the Second Viennese School, representing the shift toward atonality in the early 20th century. Arnold Schoenberg's Op. 15, composed between 1908 and 1909, marked his definitive departure from traditional tonality, set to Stefan George’s evocative poetry. Anton Webern’s Op. 4, composed shortly thereafter, demonstrates his characteristic brevity and structural precision, further expanding the expressive possibilities of the lied in the modern era.

Released by Bärenreiter-Musicaphon as part of their commitment to serious contemporary music, this LP features soprano Carla Henius accompanied by pianist Aribert Reimann. The pairing highlights a rigorous approach to performance that prioritizes technical fidelity to the score's complex demands. While these compositions were initially met with considerable resistance during their early performances, they have since been cemented as cornerstone works in the modernist canon, essential for understanding the trajectory of 20th-century vocal literature.