An absolutely astounding and even essential recording,
Antony Beaumont and the Czech Philharmonic's third recording of the symphonic music of Alexander Zemlinsky is as persuasive and compelling a recording of any work by Zemlinsky ever made. All the radiantly passionate melodies, the luminously voluptuous harmonies, the glowing orchestral colors, the excited exuberance, the emotional intensity, and the morbid pessimism of Zemlinsky's music is fully and completely present in Beumont's recordings. Heretofore, even the best performances of Zemlinsky's music made him sound like a lightweight
Mahler or a too-timid
Schoenberg. But
Beaumont and the magnificent Czech Philharmonic bring his music vividly and vitally to life and Zemlinsky stands revealed as both his own man and as one of the great composers of the Austrian fin de siècle. Chandos' sound is rich, warm, full, and round.