Der Geburtstag Der Infantin
This collection is from London's "Degenerate Music" series, works by composers attacked or suppressed by the Nazis. Schreker's score forThe Birthday of the Infanta, based on a story by Oscar Wilde, is in his typically lush late Romantic style. Some listeners love this music, while others get seasick. Schulhoff'sMoonstruckis a relatively brief dance piece, full of Schulhoff's beloved jazz and immediately striking. Hindemith'sThe Demon, typical of his acerbic early style, is a challenging and eventually rewarding piece, previously recorded a couple of times. It's a luxury to have one of the world's great orchestras playing this obscure, fascinating program for us; the conductor does well with everything but particularly with Schreker's decadence.--Leslie Gerber