3 orchestral works by Franz Schreker (1878-1934)

The last decade in the life of Austrian composer Frank Schreker (1878-1934) proved a tragic conclusion to his hitherto highly successful career as a teacher, conductor, administrator and composer. In the mid-1920s critics were bearing down on him for failing to step in line with developing compositional styles; by the 1930s his work had come to the attention of the Nazis who arranged his removal from teaching duties at the Berlin Hochschule; two strokes followed, with death coming shortly after. Prior to this dark chapter, Schreker had enjoyed a fine reputation as a composer, particularly of opera, his output rivalling that of Richard Strauss. Raymond Bisha presents a programme featuring three of his less well-known, highly approachable orchestral works, composed in those earlier and happier times.