The Centenary of Die tote Stadt 4th December

[brendangcarroll]

As many here will know, 100 years ago TONIGHT Korngold's opera Die tote Stadt received its world premiere on the stages of TWO opera houses simultaneously, Hamburg & Cologne.

I have published an extended essay today, to mark this important centenary which, as well as including rare photos from my archive also presents a unique and rare recording of Korngold improvising, on the piano, themes from his score.

Here's the weblink:-

https://www.momh.org.uk/exhibitions-detail.php?cat_id=5&prod_id=391&iotm=1

I hope many on this forum may enjoy this centenary tribute.

~BRENDAN CARROLL

[Alan Howe]

If only we could now have a new recording of the opera, with soloists actually capable of singing the main roles. After all, the best so far (Leinsdorf), is 45 years old!

[semloh]

Thank you, Brendan. What a fine piece that is, packed with detail and wonderful insights into the man and his music. Inexplicably, I was totally unaware of the link to Freud, and yet it's so obvious - once you know! 

[brendangcarroll]

I am so glad you enjoyed my article, which was a labour of love!

[ewk]

Thank you Brendan for your insightful article and the Korngold improvisation.
I could listen to his piano playing and his improvisations all day, it is so vividly colourful! What a pity that so little of it was recorded!

Best wishes,
Ewk

[brendangcarroll]

Thankyou ewk. I agree with you. Korngold was never a high priority for recording companies during his lifetime. He did play the piano on radio in Vienna on several occasions pre 1938, but the transcription discs did not survive WW2. Even more frustrating, Marcel Prawy (who arranged the 1950 recordings in Vienna) told me that Korngold actually recorded several more selections from his own works  (all from memory) because he loved the magnificent Bosendorfer grand he was given to play on so much. Unfortunately the tracks released were chosen to fit onto an LP and the tapes of the tracks not included have subsequently been lost. I keep hoping they will turn up in the back  of a cupboard somewhere.....

[Alan Howe]

Here's a review of the Munich production (Kaufmann/Petersen c. K.Petrenko):
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/03/arts/music/die-tote-stadt-munich.html

And here's Marlis Petersen in a production from Warsaw with a dreadful tenor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMTjRy5JPwY
She's good, but hardly golden age - certainly not a match for the great Carol Neblett in the Leinsdorf recording. However, the Munich production will in most respects be the modern recording we've been waiting for. But I'll wager it'll be spoilt by the production...

[brendangcarroll]

The Warsaw production was ghastly.

Unfortunately I was invited to the premiere and, curious to see how they would use the vast stage of the Warsaw Theatre, I accepted and made the trip.

I have regretted it ever since.