Erich Wolfgang Korngold, born in 1897, was considered a child prodigy, impressing Gustav Mahler with his cantata Gold at age nine.
Cultural Impact
Korngold's film scores, such as those for Captain Blood and The Adventures of Robin Hood, brought his music to millions.
Performer Biography
John Storgårds, the conductor on this album, has a dual career as a conductor and violin virtuoso and is known for his commitment to contemporary music.
Composition History
Korngold's Sinfonietta, written in 1912, was praised by Richard Strauss and premiered in Vienna in 1913 by Felix Weingartner and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
Recording & Production
This album provides the first opportunity to hear Korngold's complete incidental music for Much Ado About Nothing as he originally conceived it for chamber orchestra.
Historical Context
Korngold moved to Hollywood after being invited by Max Reinhardt to work on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, subsequently composing many film scores.
Compositional Technique
The Sinfonietta features a five-note ascending 'Motif of the Happy Heart' that pervades all four movements and influenced Korngold's output for three decades.
