Schoenberg, one of music’s most revolutionary and polarising figures, takes centre stage in this week’s release as we again mark his 150th birthday. This album highlights three of Robert Craft’s early Schoenberg recordings: Variations for Orchestra (1957), performed with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra in Hollywood, the Violin Concerto (1962), featuring soloist Israel Baker, and Verklärte Nacht (1962), both with the CBC Symphony recorded in Toronto. Each piece is presented in pristine stereo sound, and required only subtle XR remastering to shine.
These performances capture the depth, intensity, and nuance of Schoenberg’s compositions, offering a compelling glimpse into his avant-garde legacy. You can sample the Violin Concerto's finale on our website or YouTube—it’s an ideal introduction to a composer whose work still challenges and fascinates audiences today.
We also celebrate the 159th birthday this week of Sibelius, with a 10% discount on all our recordings of his music.