Gurrelieder (Songs of Gurre) is a cycle of songs composed by Arnold Schönberg (1874-1951) at the beginning of his career. It requires monumental forces for its execution, therefore its readings are rare. Based on texts by the Danish poet Jens Peter Jacobsen and translated into German by Robert Franz Arnold, this oratorio with songs for five voices, narrator, choirs and orchestra is composed in the first style of the composer, before the twelve-tone and heavily influenced by Wagner and Mahler.
The first part was completed in 1901 and the second in 1911, both differing completely in style showing the evolution of Schönberg towards dodecafonía.
Franz Schreker premiered it in Vienna in 1913 and Leopold Stokowski made the first comprehensive record in 1932. Discography
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