RENÉ LEIBOWITZ (1913-1972): Violin Concerto, Op. 50 (Ivry Gitlis [violin], Hannover Radio Orchestra; René Leibowitz. rec. Jan. 20, 1961), Serenade for Baritone and 8 Instruments, Op. 38, Marijuana - Variations non sérieuses for Violin, Trombone, Vibraphone and Piano, Op. 54, Motifs for Reciter, Flute, Clarinet and Piano Trio, Op. 74, Petite Suite for Piano, Op. 75, Chanson[s] Dada for Child's Voice, Clarinet, Horn, Cello and Piano, Op. 76b, Suite for 9 Instruments, Op. 81, 3 Intermezzi for Piano, Op. 87, Laboratoire central for Reciter, Women's Choir, Flute/Piccolo, Clarinet, Horn and String Trio, Op. 88, 3 Caprices for Vibraphone, Op. 70, 2 poèmes de Michel Leiris for Voice and Piano, Op. 76a, Explanation of Metaphors for 2 Pianos, Harp, Percussion and Narrator, Op. 15, 5 Pieces for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 29, 3 poèmes de Georges Limbour for Soprano, Flute, Clarinet, String Trio and Piano, Op. 46, Toccata for Piano, Op. 62, 6 mélodies for Bass and Piano, Op. 6, Duo for Cello and Piano, Op. 23, 3 poèmes de Pierre Reverdy for 4 Voices and Piano, Op. 92, 3 poèmes de Georges Bataille for Bass and Piano, Op. 73, 4 Lieder nach Paul Celan for Bass and Piano, Op. 86, 2 Settings after William Blake for Mixed Chorus, Op. 71.
Catalogue Number: 05O069
Label: Divox
Reference: CDX-21103/4
Format: CD
Price: $33.98
Description: Student of Schoenberg and Webern, author of a seminal work on the former's dodecaphonic method of composition, instrumental in keeping their work alive in France after World War II and teacher of Boulez, Leibowitz is known today, if at all, for his conducting (especially his Reader's Digest Beethoven cycle which took the printed metronome marks at face value). But he left over 90 compositions in the Schoenberg-Berg-Webern tradition and, though we're now in some variation of post-Something in which dodecaphony seems utterly dinosauric in its age and lack of current influence, this set of recordings, made (except for the live Violin Concerto) in 1993 and 206, is an important scholarly document of a particular period in European musical history. 10 of the pieces are listed as World Premiere Recordings. 2 CDs in a 154-page hard-bound (jewel-box size) book with many photos and reproductions of letters and scores. Texts in original languages included. Schola Heidelberg & ensemble aisthesis; Walter Nußbaum.
