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This focus on absence gives the opera a metaphysical frisson that helps it transcend pastiche Richard Strauss. Not that this pastiche isn't expert - the exotic, late Romantic orchestral colouring; the swoops of violence and calms of lyricism; the simultaneous disintegration and affirmation of melody; the self-reflexivity (the hero-artist; the number of stage orchestras).
But there is a supernatural undertow throughout, culminating in the extraordinary Act 2, a frivolous, La Traviata-style society scene breaking down into Purgatorial hysterics; or the sparse, haunting suspense of Act 3. Schreker continually brings his melodic and tonal language to the brink of febrile collapse; if, like Strauss, he pulls back, the threat/promise gives the listener palpitations.
This recording is a little boxy, and the singing often sounds distant, but this somehow adds to the delicious unease of this singular opera.
Die Ferne Klang is perhaps Schreker's finest opera. The plot involves an artist who abandons his fiance to go in search of "the distant sound" which will allow him to produce the perfect work of art. As the opera progresses, the main character, Fritz, leads a life of gradually increasing desolation and finally death. Of course, on his death bed he finally hears Die Ferne Klange.
The score is in fine expressionist mode, though basically tonal. Schreker was one of the most brilliant orchestrators of the early 20th century and his orchestral palette obviously had an influence on Berg's Lulu. Though the music remains late-romantic in idiom, Schreker lives on the edge of tonality most of the time, sometimes loosing the sense of key center for long stretches, particularly as the main character's life falls more and more apart. Vocal the writing is difficult, though not completely unmelodic. It is rather akin to the vocal writing of Wagner in his most "sturm and drang" mode. There are moments of lovely melodic writing though. Perhaps not as lovely as Strauss, but close.
The performance on this disc is serviceable, though I prefer the older Cappricio disc, both in terms of sound and singers. Unfortunately, the Capriccio disc is now out of print, but this makes a good substitute, if not spectacular. We have yet to get a spectacular recording of this fine opera. Perhaps it's waiting for a more adventurous European company to rediscover it. It's definately worth reviving.
Lovely melodies, truly magical orchestrations, a silly but poetic story that is heartbreaking because of its musical treatment.
Don't miss this if you get a chance to hear it (or see it, should there ever be another production).
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