Karl Weigl was part of the rich cultural life of Vienna at the turn of the last century. One of his earliest works, Isle of the Dead was inspired by Becklin's famous symbolic painting and here receives it's first known performance. Nachtphantasien (Night Fantasies) relates to the two Nachtmusik movements of Mahler's Symphony No. 7. Folklike but deceptively demanding, the Pictures and Tales were popular in their day, while Dance of the Furies was overlooked by the composer and not publicly performed until 1970. Weigl's career was cut short by Hitler's rise to power. Written in exile in the United States, the reflective Six Fantasies was his last piano cycle. Grammy-Â« nominated American pianist Joseph Banowetz has been heard as recitalist and orchestral soloist on five continents. His over thirty recordings contain a significant number of world-premiere discs, including first recordings of Anton Rubinstein solo piano works, all eight of Rubinstein's piano and orchestra works, and compositions of Mily Balakirev, Leopold Godowsky and Paul Kletzki.

Tracklist:

6 Fantasies: No. 1. Spring Evening
6 Fantasies: No. 2. Burlesque
6 Fantasies: No. 3. Remembrance
6 Fantasies: No. 4. Capriccio
6 Fantasies: No. 5. Longing
6 Fantasies: No. 6. Halloween
Toteninsel (Isle Of The Dead)
Bilder Und Geschichten (Pictures And Tales), Op. 2: I. Es War Einmal (Once Upon A Time)
Bilder Und Geschichten (Pictures And Tales), Op. 2: II. Schneewittchen (Snow-White)
Bilder Und Geschichten (Pictures And Tales), Op. 2: III. Storch, Storch, Steiner (Stork, Lanky Long-Legs)
IV. Schlaf, Kindlein, Schlaf (Sleep, Child, Sleep)
Bilder Und Geschichten (Pictures And Tales), Op. 2: V. Dorn Roschens Grab (Sleeping Beauty's Grave)
Bilder Und Geschichten (Pictures And Tales), Op. 2: VI. Im Mondschein (By Moonlight)
Tanz Der Erinnyen (Dance Of The Furies)
Nachtphantasien (Night Fantasies), Op. 13: I. Langsam
Nachtphantasien (Night Fantasies), Op. 13: II. Heftig
Nachtphantasien (Night Fantasies), Op. 13: III. Langsam, Innig
Nachtphantasien (Night Fantasies), Op. 13: IV. Unruhig, Drangend
Nachtphantasien (Night Fantasies), Op. 13: V. Zart Bewegt
28 Variationen Uber Ein Achttaktiges Thema, Op. 15

UPC: 747313242375
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 6.26.12
Format: CD

Joseph Banowetz - Isle of the Dead / Six Fantasies & Toteninsel (CD)