Pierrot lunaire

Dive into the avant-garde world of Arnold Schoenberg with his seminal work "Pierrot lunaire," a groundbreaking composition that redefined the boundaries of classical music in the early 20th century. Released on February 2, 2024, by Klarthe Records, this album presents a unique blend of spoken word and instrumental music, setting 21 poems from Albert Giraud's cycle "Pierrot lunaire" to a hauntingly beautiful score.

Schoenberg's "Pierrot lunaire" is a melodrama that explores themes of madness, death, sex, dreams, trauma, and nostalgia through the character of Pierrot and his companions. The work is divided into three sections, each containing seven poems, and is performed by a sextet of flute (doubling piccolo), clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), violin, cello, piano, and voice. The vocalist uses Sprechgesang, a form of heightened speech that falls between speaking and singing, adding a unique and expressive dimension to the performance.

This album features both the vocal and instrumental parts of "Pierrot lunaire," allowing you to appreciate the full scope of Schoenberg's innovative composition. The instrumental tracks provide a fresh perspective on the work, highlighting the intricate interplay between the instruments and the composer's masterful orchestration. With a duration of 1 hour and 13 minutes, this album offers a comprehensive exploration of one of the most influential works in modern classical music.