Klaus Simon, the pianist on this recording, is also a conductor and arranger, known for his chamber ensemble versions of Mahler's symphonies and songs.
Composer Biography
Erich J. Wolff, a contemporary and friend of Arnold Schoenberg and Alexander Zemlinsky, died prematurely at age 39 in the United States from an ear infection.
Compositional Technique
Wolff's music was influenced by his extensive work as a Lieder accompanist, incorporating elements from Gustav Mahler, Hugo Wolf, Robert Schumann, and Richard Wagner.
Critical Reception
Before World War I, Wolff's songs were highly successful and admired, with famous singers competing to perform with him.
Performer Biography
Ida Aldrian, the mezzo-soprano, is a member of the ensemble at the Staatsoper Hamburg and has worked with renowned conductors such as Simone Young and Kent Nagano.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Wolff developed a personal style, finding the right tone for each text he set, from celebrated poets like Goethe to contemporaries like Richard Dehmel.
Critical Reception
In a 1927 reference book, '2000 of the Most Popular Art Songs,' Erich J. Wolff ranked fourth with 17 songs, surpassing Zemlinsky and Schreker.
