I like the music of this period (early 20th Century) very much. In the beginnings of the dominance of atonal music, Such composers as Korngold and the early Schoenberg were regarded as the tail end of past Romanticism, of some interest, but decadent, and thus something of a guilty pleasure. The resurgence in the 20th Century of tonal composition, and even of a new sort of romanticism has blunted the once seemingly overwhelming force of the original criticism. As a result what is discussed above and other forces, it is now considered acceptable for even the most cautious music lovers to admit to enjoying lushly emotional "Romantic" music once again. This album is for such listeners. Both pieces, splendidly performed, and for string sextet. I prefer this version of the Schoenberg piece to the more usually heard version for full string orchestra -- the latter version could reallly be considered a bit excessive in the "lush" department, but the sextet version, slightly dryer (on a relative scale) and much more transparent, and therefore works much better. As to the other piece on this album, I have had a great deal of pleasure re-discovering Korngold's non-film work, and this is a prime example thereof. I recommend this album to all music lovers, and to unrepentant Romantics in particular.
