Rainer Maria Rilke, Franz Schreker

Lieder für Gesang und Klavier

The Schreker Renaissance! Franz Schreker wrote mainly for the voice showing in his early life a clear dedication to the lied. He produced numerous operas. Half of the 48 songs known to exist were published by Universal Edition in Schreker's lifetime. This new volume contains the remaining 24 most of which have remained, until now, unpublished. Also included are two earlier versions of previously published songs. The lack of balance between the early and the late compositions becomes evident in this collection but on the whole these songs offer a worthwhile overview of Schreker's stylistic development. The composer drew from a wide range of compositional styles and spoke in a flexible and expressive language reflecting the complex spiritual aspects of our lives. The songs in this collection encompass 25 years of Schreker's artistic development.