Fine music by fine artists

CLASSICAL

Eternity - The Song Cycles of Erich Korngold

Louise Page, soprano & Phillipa Candy, piano

PAGE/CANDY

by W.L Hoffmann

Phillipa Candy and Louise Page.
Photo courtesy Artsong Canberra

THESE two fine Canberra artists have regaled local audiences with many notable lieder recitals over recent years and their many admirers will welcome this latest CD. But is is also very welcome for its content, an excellent introduction to the beautiful but undeservedly neglected song cycles of Erich Korngold, one of the most prolific composers of the first half of the 20th century.

Viennese-born Korngold was a true wunderkind, a child prodigy who at the age of 11 had his first one-act opera performed by the Vienna Court Opera. He wrote two three-act operas and symphonic works which had wide European performances before he left Austria in 1938 and went to the United States, where he had a distinguished career as the composer of the musical score for many notable films.

His music was essentially lyrical and his seven song cycles contain many lovely songs, including two groups of Shakespeare Songs, the five songs of the Eternity cycle and the final Songs of Farewell.

It is hardly necessary for me to laud these two Canberra artists and this recording is obviously a labour of love for them. The singing is superb, the accompaniments absolutely supportive and the music itself is of great beauty.

I have long admired and found great pleasure in Korngold’s music, and with this combination of fine music released by fine artists i have found this disc a delight, which I can recommend highly.

Originally published in The Canberra Times, March 8, 2004