Search - Frank [1] Martin, Jac van Steen, Orchester Musikkollegium Winterthur :: Frank Martin: Die Weise von Liebe und Tod des Cornets Christoph Rilke

Underrated Master's underrated masterpiece

Ryan Morris | Chicago, IL | 02/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a masterpiece, nothing less. It is reminiscient of Mahler's orchestral lieder, though with more gentle textures and orchestration(small and chamberesque)--

There are so many wonderful moments in this piece, for those who enjoy lieder, orchestral songs, I couldnt recommend a disc more highly. Frank Martin, a swiss composer, is a neglected master mostly known for his Concerto for seven instruments, but much of his output is for voice and orchestra and basically all are of the first order but I consider this, along with Vin le herbe(tristan und isolde) his finest work over all. Most of the pieces are less than five minutes, but are all connected in quiltlike fashion.

To summarize, I consider this to be one of the finest orchestral lieder(this piece is specifically for contralto and orchestra--the singer here is marvelous and of perfect voice for the peice) of the 20th century, composed by a master craftsman. It is by turn dramatic, beautiful, fragile, and sorrowful."