Schoeck: Lieder (12 CDs) DOCUMENT

Swiss composer Othmar Schoeck (born 1886 in Brunnen, Switzerland, died 1957 in Zurich) is one of the most important Lied composers of the 20th century. After studying with Hegar, Kemptner, Attenhofer and max Reger, Schoeck created numerous Operas and Lied compositions, enjoying growing popularity and admiration amongst literary giants like James Joyce and Samuel Barber who he inspired to write poetry. Amongst his many supporters, some of the most prominent were Karl Böhm and especially dietrich Fischer-dieskau. German writer Hermann Hesse was Schoeck’s friend, as well as violin legend Stefi Geyer to whom he dedicated his Sonata for Violin and piano and his Concerto for Violin and Orchestra which she both debuted.

Influenced by Alban Berg and the music of Les Six, Schoeck combined 19th century traditions with elements of early modernism. After World War ii, Schoeck’s infl uence diminished, partly also because he did not further innovate his style and refused twelve tone techniques as well as giving up on tonality and rhythmic structures. He died ten years after a heart attack had taken him the ability to perform and forced him to focus on his composing work. it is due to the Swiss publisher Jecklin that the complete Lied cycle of one of the most important Swiss composers of all times have been recorded and published on a number of consecutively issued single Cds, featuring, among others, Christine Schäfer, Juliane Banse and Ian Bostridge, some of today’s most prominent vocalists. Long deleted, these recordings are now being made available for the first time in this box set.