Notes and Editorial Reviews
A private pupil of Schoenberg, who described him as one of his most gifted students, Hanns Eisler stands as one of the most fascinating composers of the 20th century – a composer whose left-wing political affiliations saw him forced into exile with the rise of the Nazis, who subsequently settled in the USA and was denounced first by his sister to the FBI and then by Nixon himself as ‘the Karl Marx of communism in the musical field’ (to which Eisler retorted that he was ‘very flattered’ by the comparison), leading to deportation back to Europe in 1948. He was one of Bertolt Brecht’s chief collaborators in political songs, films and stage works (the two resumed contact in Hollywood after Eisler’s move to the US), also working with other
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notable types such as the singer Ernst Busch and writing politico-intellectual subject matter. After his return to Germany, where he settled in Stalinist East Berlin, he became enormously influential in re-stimulating musical life, teaching at the Berlin College of Music that now bears his name and taking the composition masterclass at the Academy of Arts.
This 10 CD box is a tribute to the composer, revealing the enormous amount of music he wrote in a vast variety of styles, from tuneful mass songs to Schoenberg’s 12-note method. Believing as he did in the functionality of music, Eisler employed whatever idiom was appropriate to the task in hand, including drawing inspiration from jazz and popular songs and distortions of military music. Though he wrote some very large works (such as the Deutsche Sinfonie – part symphony, part cantata, part ‘German Requiem’), he was especially a master of small forms, as we see for instance in his Kleine Sinfonie, largely derived from his film music of 1930–2 (and which adheres to his credo that music can offer a new utilisation when it forges links with other artistic forms of expression). Many of his works are of course political-based, but what becomes apparent throughout listening to his oeuvre is that, while rejecting all the rhetoric of Romanticism, Eisler never lost faith in firm technique and the value of solid contrapuntal work. A wealth of talent is assembled for this album, from the first-rate German ensembles Staatskapelle Dresden and Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester to lauded artists such as the character actress Gisela May and the soprano Irmgard Arnold, who can be heard in rehearsal with the composer himself.
Other information:
- Hanns Eisler was without doubt one of the most fascinating composers of 20th century Germany. His left wing political views forced him to flee Nazi Germany, settling in the USA, from where he was exiled in 1948 by Nixon as a “musical Karl Marx” (which he considered a compliment..). In East Berlin he became a strong musical influence, collaborating with Berthold Brecht and others.
- Eisler’s composition style changed considerably over the years:
starting out as a 12-tone disciple (he was a private student of Schoenberg in his youth) he ended up writing “functional” music, for people’s understanding, education and enjoyment, always in line with his left wing views on the “elevation of the people”.
- This 10 CD set offers an extensive (though by far not complete, he wrote an enormous amount of music) survey of Eisler’s works: symphonic, operatic, chamber music, vocal works, performed by the best East German forces, like Staatskapelle Berlin, RSO Berlin, RSO Leipzig, Berliner Singakademie and singers like Gisela May and Irmgard Arnold.
- The extensive and excellent liner notes (more like an essay) are available on the Brilliant Classics website. Additional sung texts will follow soon.
- Booklet contains an overview of the composer and his music as well as full tracklists for CDs 4, 5, 6, 7 & 10.
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Works on This Recording
3.
Die Rundköpfe und die Spitzköpfe, Op. 45: Kuppellied by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Gisela May (Soprano)
Conductor:
Henry Krtschil
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
Date of Recording: 1968
Venue: Studio Reichstagufer, Berlin
Length: 2 Minutes 26 Secs.
Language: German
4.
Kuhle Wampe, Op. 27: Das Frühjahr by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Gisela May (Soprano)
Conductor:
Henry Krtschil
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1931; Germany
Date of Recording: 1968
Venue: Studio Reichstagufer, Berlin
Length: 2 Minutes 28 Secs.
Language: German
5.
Kuhle Wampe, Op. 27: Mutter Beimlein by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Gisela May (Soprano)
Conductor:
Henry Krtschil
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1931; Germany
Date of Recording: 1968
Venue: Studio Reichstagufer, Berlin
Length: 1 Minutes 41 Secs.
Language: German
6.
O Fallada, da du hangest by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Gisela May (Soprano)
Conductor:
Henry Krtschil
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1932; Germany
Date of Recording: 1968
Venue: Studio Reichstagufer, Berlin
Length: 2 Minutes 47 Secs.
Language: German
7.
Kuhle Wampe, Op. 27: Ballade von der "Judenhure" Marie Sander by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Gisela May (Soprano)
Conductor:
Henry Krtschil
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1931; Germany
Date of Recording: 1968
Venue: Studio Reichstagufer, Berlin
Length: 1 Minutes 57 Secs.
Language: German
8.
Schweyk im Zweiten Weltkrieg: Das Lied von der Moldau by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Siegfried Stöckigt (Piano),
Walter Olbertz (Piano),
Gisela May (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1943-1959; Germany
Date of Recording: 1966
Venue: Studio Reichstagufer, Berlin
Length: 1 Minutes 21 Secs.
Language: German
9.
Schweyk im Zweiten Weltkrieg: Das Lied vom kleinen Wind by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Siegfried Stöckigt (Piano),
Walter Olbertz (Piano),
Gisela May (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1943-1959; Germany
Date of Recording: 1966
Venue: Studio Reichstagufer, Berlin
Length: 2 Minutes 1 Secs.
Language: German
10.
Schweyk im Zweiten Weltkrieg: Das Lied vom Kelch by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Siegfried Stöckigt (Piano),
Walter Olbertz (Piano),
Gisela May (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1943-1959; Germany
Date of Recording: 1966
Venue: Studio Reichstagufer, Berlin
Length: 2 Minutes 1 Secs.
Language: German
11.
Schweyk im Zweiten Weltkrieg: Un was bekam des Soldaten Weib by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Siegfried Stöckigt (Piano),
Walter Olbertz (Piano),
Gisela May (Soprano)
Conductor:
Henry Krtschil
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1943-1959; Germany
Date of Recording: 1966
Venue: Studio Reichstagufer, Berlin
Length: 2 Minutes 24 Secs.
Language: German
12.
Ballade vom Weib und dem Soldaten, Op. 39 by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Gisela May (Soprano)
Conductor:
Henry Krtschil
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1932; Germany
Date of Recording: 1968
Venue: Studio Reichstagufer, Berlin
Length: 3 Minutes 35 Secs.
Language: German
13.
Lied einer deutschen Mutter by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Gisela May (Soprano)
Conductor:
Henry Krtschil
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: Germany
Date of Recording: 1968
Venue: Studio Reichstagufer, Berlin
Length: 1 Minutes 40 Secs.
Language: German
14.
Suite for Orchestra no 1, Op. 23 by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Max Pommer
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra members
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1930; Germany
Date of Recording: 01/1977
Venue: Paul-Gerhardt-Kirche, Leipzig, Germany
Length: 15 Minutes 27 Secs.
15.
Suite for Orchestra no 2, Op. 24 "Niemandslied" by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Heinz Rögner
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1931; Germany
Date of Recording: 1972
Venue: Christuskirche, Berlin, Germany
Length: 9 Minutes 1 Secs.
16.
Suite for Orchestra no 3, Op. 26 "Kuhle Wampe" by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Heinz Rögner
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1931; Germany
Date of Recording: 1972
Venue: Christuskirche, Berlin, Germany
Length: 9 Minutes 24 Secs.
19.
Kammersinfonie, Op. 69 by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Gerhard Erber (Piano),
Volker Bräutigam (Organ)
Conductor:
Max Pommer
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra members
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1940; USA
Date of Recording: 1974
Venue: Versöhnungskirche, Leipzig, Germany
Length: 17 Minutes 11 Secs.
20.
Kleine Sinfonie, Op. 29 by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Heinz Rögner
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1932; Berlin, Germany
Date of Recording: 1972
21.
Pieces (5) for Orchestra by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Max Pommer
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Leipzig Chamber Music Society
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1938; USA
Date of Recording: 1974
22.
Winterschlacht: Suite by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Ekkehard Schall (Spoken Vocals)
Conductor:
Adolf Fritz Guhl
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1955; Germany
Date of Recording: 11/1972
23.
Wilhelm Tell: Es lächelt der See by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Gunther Neumann (Tenor),
Elisabeth Breul (Soprano),
Günther Leib (Baritone)
Conductor:
Günther Herbig
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1961; Germany
Date of Recording: 06/1970
Language: German
24.
Goethe Rhapsodie: Part 2 by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Elisabeth Breul (Soprano)
Conductor:
Günther Herbig
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1949; Germany
Date of Recording: 06/1970
Language: German
26.
Deutsche Sinfonie, Op. 50 by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Fred Teschler (Bass),
Hermann Hähnel (Baritone),
Elisabeth Breul (Soprano),
Ekkehard Schall (Voice),
Hilmar Thate (Voice)
Conductor:
Adolf Fritz Guhl
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Leipzig Radio Chorus,
Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1935-1957
27.
Scherzo for String Trio by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Rudolf Ulbrich (Violin),
Joachim Zindler (Viola),
Clemens Dillner (Cello)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1920
32.
Nonet no 1 by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Wolfgang Bernhardt (Cello),
Werner Schramm (French Horn),
Friedrich-Carl Erben (Violin),
Ralf-Rainer Haase (Violin),
Wilfried Winkelmann (Flute),
Hans Himmler (Clarinet),
Herbert Heilmann (Bassoon),
Hans Richter (Double Bass),
Arnim Orlamünde (Viola)
Conductor:
Friedrich-Carl Erben
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin State Opera Chamber Music Association
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1939; Germany
33.
Septet no 2 "Zirkus" by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Hans Himmler (Clarinet),
Herbert Heilmann (Bassoon),
Karl-Heinz Schröter (Cello),
Friedrich-Carl Erben (Violin),
Ralf-Rainer Haase (Violin),
Manfred Friedrich (Flute),
Arnim Orlamünde (Viola)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1947; Germany
34.
Palmström, Op. 5 by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Roswitha Trexler (Soprano),
Friedrich-Carl Erben (Violin),
Wilfried Winkelmann (Flute),
Wolfgang Bernhardt (Cello),
Arnim Orlamünde (Viola),
Oskar Michallik (Clarinet)
Conductor:
Hans-Jürgen Wenzel
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1926; Berlin, Germany
Language: German
35.
Divertimento for Wind Quintet, Op. 4 by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Berlin Ensemble ()
Conductor:
Max Pommer
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Amsterdam Collegium Musicum Judaicum,
Leipzig Chamber Ensemble
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1923
36.
Tagebuch des Hanns Eisler, Op. 9 by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Peter Menzel (),
Roswitha Trexler (),
Conrad Other (Violin),
Gerhard Erber (Piano),
Helga Termer ()
Conductor:
Max Pommer
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1926; Germany
39.
Nonet for winds & strings No. 2 by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Friedrich-Carl Erben
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin State Opera Chamber Music Association
Period: Modern
Written: 1940
Date of Recording: 10/05/1967
Venue: Berlin, Christuskirche
Length: 0 Minutes 51 Secs.
41.
Vierzehn Arten, den Regen zu beschreiben, Op. 70 by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Friedrich-Carl Erben
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin State Opera Chamber Music Association
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1940; USA
Date of Recording: 10/05/1967
Venue: Berlin, Christuskirche
Length: 13 Minutes 0 Secs.
42.
Sätze für Nonett (Movements for Nonette), opus posthumous by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Friedrich-Carl Erben
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin State Opera Chamber Music Association
Period: Modern
Written: circa 1941
Date of Recording: 10/05/1967
Venue: Berlin, Christuskirche
Length: 5 Minutes 27 Secs.
43.
Tempo der Zeit, Op. 16 by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Dietrich Knothe
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Staatskapelle Orchestra
44.
Work(s) by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Irmgard Arnold (Soprano),
Volker Rohde (Piano),
Andre Asriel (Piano),
Kurt Scharmacher (Piano),
Hanns Eisler (Piano),
Georg Laube (Bass Clarinet),
Peter Seydel (Viola),
Ewald Koch (Clarinet),
Hartmut Friedrich (Cello)
Period: 20th Century
48.
Wiener Lied by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Irmgard Arnold (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1955; Germany
49.
Ostersonntag by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Irmgard Arnold (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1930s
50.
Lieder (6), Op. 2 by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Irmgard Arnold (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1922; Vienna, Austria
51.
Lieder (2) by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Irmgard Arnold (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century
56.
In der frühe by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Irmgard Arnold (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century
57.
Im Blumengarten by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Irmgard Arnold (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1955; Germany
61.
Hotelzimmer 1942 by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Irmgard Arnold (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century
70.
Die haltbare Graugans by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Irmgard Arnold (Soprano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1955; Germany
73.
Work(s) by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Irmgard Arnold (Soprano),
Volker Rohde (Piano),
Andre Asriel (Piano),
Kurt Scharmacher (Piano),
Hanns Eisler (Piano),
Georg Laube (Bass Clarinet),
Peter Seydel (Viola),
Ewald Koch (Clarinet),
Hartmut Friedrich (Cello)
Period: 20th Century
76.
Early Piano Pieces (5) by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Siegfried Stöckigt (Piano)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1918-1922; Germany
82.
Choruses (3) for Male Voices Op. 10 by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Dietrich Knothe
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Leipzig Radio Male Chorus
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1925; Germany
Venue: Reconciliation Church, Leipzig, Germany
Language: German
83.
Auf den Strassen zu singen, Op. 15 by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Dietrich Knothe
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Singakademie
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1928; Germany
Venue: Paul Gerhardt Church, Leipzig, Germany
Language: German
84.
Pieces (4) for Mixed Choir, Op. 13 by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Dietrich Knothe
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra,
Berlin Singakademie
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1928; Germany
Venue: Paul Gerhardt Church, Leipzig, Germany
Language: German
90.
Bankenlied, Op 48 no 1 by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Dietrich Knothe
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Singakademie,
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra members
Period: 20th Century
91.
Keiner Oder Alle by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Hermann Hähnel (Baritone)
Conductor:
Dietrich Knothe
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra,
Berlin Singakademie
Period: 20th Century
92.
Freedom Song by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Dietrich Knothe
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra,
Berlin Singakademie
Period: 20th Century
93.
Song Of Light by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Inge Kochan (Piano),
Hermann Hähnel (Baritone),
Harry Heinze (Piano)
Conductor:
Dietrich Knothe
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Singakademie
Period: 20th Century
94.
Dictator's Song by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Harry Heinze (Piano),
Inge Kochan (Piano)
Conductor:
Dietrich Knothe
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Singakademie
Period: 20th Century
95.
Einheitsfrontlied by Hanns Eisler
Conductor:
Dietrich Knothe
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra,
Berlin Singakademie
Period: 20th Century
96.
Ernste Gesänge by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Günther Leib (Baritone)
Conductor:
Günther Herbig
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1961-1962; Germany
Length: 12 Minutes 15 Secs.
Language: German
97.
Lenin by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Hermann Hähnel (Baritone),
Roswitha Trexler (Soprano)
Conductor:
Adolf Fritz Guhl
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Leipzig Radio Chorus,
Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1936-1937; Germany
Length: 14 Minutes 27 Secs.
Language: German
98.
Bilder aus der "Kriegsfibel" by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Günther Bayer (Baritone),
Joachim Vogt (Tenor),
Carola Nossek (Soprano)
Conductor:
Dietrich Knothe
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Singakademie,
Berlin Symphony Orchestra members
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; Germany
Length: 10 Minutes 15 Secs.
Language: German
99.
Die Teppichweber von Kujan-Bulak by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Roswitha Trexler (Soprano)
Conductor:
Adolf Fritz Guhl
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1957; Germany
Length: 7 Minutes 3 Secs.
Language: German
100.
Das Vorbild by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Annelies Burmeister (Alto)
Conductor:
Günther Herbig
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1952; Germany
Length: 8 Minutes 12 Secs.
Language: German
101.
Glückliche Fahrt by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Elisabeth Breul (Soprano)
Conductor:
Günther Herbig
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: Germany
Length: 0 Minutes 51 Secs.
Language: German
102.
Mitte des Jahrhunderts by Hanns Eisler
Performer:
Carola Nossek (Soprano)
Conductor:
Dietrich Knothe
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra,
Berlin Singakademie
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1950; Germany
Length: 11 Minutes 36 Secs.
Language: German
Sound Samples
Suite No. 1, Op. 23: I. Praeludium: Passacaglia
Suite No. 1, Op. 23: II. Intermezzo
Suite No. 1, Op. 23: III. Potpourri uber russische volkslieder
Suite No. 1, Op. 23: IV. Allegro energico
Suite No. 2, Op. 24, "Niemandsland": I. Vorspiel
Suite No. 2, Op. 24, "Niemandsland": II. Capriccio uber judische volkslieder
Suite No. 2, Op. 24, "Niemandsland": III. Andante
Suite No. 2, Op. 24, "Niemandsland": IV. March tempo
Suite No. 3, Op. 26, "Kuhle Wampe": I. Praeludium
Suite No. 3, Op. 26, "Kuhle Wampe": II. Intermezzo
Suite No. 3, Op. 26, "Kuhle Wampe": III. Rondo
Suite No. 3, Op. 26, "Kuhle Wampe": IV. Die Fabriken
Suite No. 4, Op. 30, "Die Jugend hat das Wort": III. Marsch der Jugend, die das Wort hat
Suite No. 4, Op. 30, "Die Jugend hat das Wort": IV. Grave - Pesante - Allegro
Variationen uber ein marschartiges Thema, "Der lange Marsch"
Kammersinfonie, Op. 69: I. Invention
Kammersinfonie, Op. 69: II. Choral-Bearbeitung
Kammersinfonie, Op. 69: III. Scherzo
Kammersinfonie, Op. 69: IV. Etude
Kammersinfonie, Op. 69: V. Finale
Kleine Sinfonie, Op. 29: I. Thema mit variationen
Kleine Sinfonie, Op. 29: II. Allegro assai - Sostenuto
Kleine Sinfonie, Op. 29: III. Invention
Kleine Sinfonie, Op. 29: IV. Allegro
5 Orchestral Pieces: I. Andante
5 Orchestral Pieces: II. Allegro
5 Orchestral Pieces: III. Kleine Passacaglia
5 Orchestral Pieces: IV. Presto
5 Orchestral Pieces: V. Finale: Improvisation
Winterschlacht-Suite: Vorspiel
Winterschlacht-Suite: I. Agitato
Winterschlacht-Suite: II. Langsam
Winterschlacht-Suite: III. Schnee: Andante
Winterschlacht-Suite: IV. Melodram: Ihm trubt Verbitterung den Blick furs Ganze
Winterschlacht-Suite: V. Zwischenspiel
Winterschlacht-Suite: VI. Melodram: Sie meinem, wenn sie zur Fahne
Winterschlacht-Suite: VII. Schlussmusik: Der Schrecken des Krieges
Winterschlacht-Suite: VIII. Schluss-Melodram: Das war die Division
Prelude und Song "Es lachelt der See"
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