Wesendonck - Lieder (Conductor's and study score)
Description
During the period in which these arrangements were created, Hans Werner Henze was far from being a Wagnerite. Despite this, he deliberately set out to study Wagner's music. Tristan und Isolde was the opera Henze found most accessible and it was therefore the Wesendonck-Lieder, dating from 1858 with their clear affinity to the harmony of Tristan, which became Henze's focal point of interest. In his arrangements he was aiming 'to evoke the pre-Tristan state. For this reason, I have selected a small ensemble consisting of seven wind instruments, two horns, harp and small string orchestra to retain the preliminary study character of these Lieder. At the same time however, I am attempting to permit the Tristanesque tone which is already inherent in the piano version to unfold through harmonic separation.' - Hans Werner Henze
Content:
- I Der Engel (The Angel) "In der Kindheit frühen Tagen..."
- II Stehe still (Stand still!) "Sausendes, brausendes Rad der Zeit..."
- III Im Treibhaus (In the Hothouse) "Hochgewölbte Blätterkronen..."
- IV Schmerzen (Pains) "Sonne, weinest jeden Abend..."
- V Träume (Dreams) "Sag', welch wunderbare Träume..."