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Led by Patrick Hahn, The Vienna Symphony Orchestra and Dorothea Röschmann Celebrate Schönberg's Erwartung at 100

Jun. 28, 2024

Arnold Schönberg's monodrama in one act Erwartung was premiered on June 6, 1924 at the Deutsches Theater in Prague. The female lead was played by Marie Gutheil-Schoder, with Alexander Zemlinsky conducting.

To mark the anniversary, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra under Patrick Hahn and with soprano Dorothea Röschmann performed the work in concert on June 5 and 6, 2024 at the Vienna Musikverein. The program also included Zemlinsky's Die Seejungfrau (The Mermaid).

Alexander Zemlinsky shared an insightful practical introduction to Erwartung based on his own experience rehearsing the work (excerpted from Pult und Taktstock, March/April 1927 issue).

"In my experience, the most difficult work is past when two artists, a singer and a conductor, convinced of the great value of this piece, devote themselves entirely to learning it until it is completely successful: the conductor, not burdened by any interests his boss might have, jokes along with the orchestra during rehearsals, and the singer, who – apart from having a beautiful voice (and the role absolutely must be sung beautifully) – must be capable of strong dramatic presentation. The most difficult hurdle is overcome when these requirements are met well enough. The orchestra part is not much more difficult than other modern works, and it has the advantage of virtually sounding “by itself,” so wonderfully is it scored."

In addition to the original version for soprano and orchestra, versions of Erwartung for medium voice and orchestra and soprano and chamber ensemble are also available.


The WDR Symphony Orchestra and mezzo-soprano Tanja Ariane Baumgartner perform Schönberg's Erwartung
under the direction of Ingo Metzmacher

To learn more about Arnold Schönberg, visit universaledition.com, and read "On the 150th Birthday of Arnold Schönberg" by Universal Edition here.

Arnold Schönberg
Erwartung, Op. 17 (1909)
monodrama in one act
for soprano and orchestra
30'

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