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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This collection presents all Webern's works with opus numbers in chronological order, allowing listeners to scrutinize the inner workings of this influential composer's intense, compressed style from the lush Passacaglia to the starkness of his late vocal works. A broadcast recording of Webern conducting a group of Schubert Dances makes a lively bonus. --Jed Distler
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Enter the world of Anton Webern... if you dare! If you are interested in the music of the New Viennese School, this collection is a must! Every primary work of the master of small forms himself, Anton Webern, is superbly performed and recorded in this collection under the exacting hand of Pierre Boulez, a quintessential modern Webern authority. When I first purchased this collection (on vinyl) in the mid 80's, I couldn't stop listening to it for a moment. Webern's Opus 1 'Passacaglia' is absolutely stupendous in its strident expression of violent passion and volatile climaxes. The early song collections, particularly Op. 3 and 4, are stunning gems of lapidary precision and balance. Webern speaks volumes in a few latticed phrases that other composers struggled all their lives to convey unconvincingly in gigantic opera and symphonies. From beginning to end this collection testifies to Webern's singular talent and ability as a craftsman of exceptionally refined musical forms. Without a doubt, Webern is a vocal composer par excellence. In a word, Webern is an aesthetic unto himself, unmatched and unmatchable by any composer before or since, in spite of all his admirers and imitators. Webern's music is the highpoint of human achievement in the world of art, and this collection proves loyal to its subject with impressive care. Definitely not for superficial music tastes.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It is hard to believe that the originals of these recordings are about 30 years old or so. The sound is very clear and precise without having a dry recorded-in-the-living-room sound. In fact, the Six Orchestral Pieces sounds clearer and sharper than some more recent recordings that I've heard. I do wish though that the accompanying booklet would comment more on the emotions and poetic themes in Webern's music. It is not all just about permutations of series. In fact, dwelling on these mathematical aspects of the music helps to perpetuate a stereotype about Webern's music having no emotional component at all. Anyone who listens sympathetically, however, most realize that the emotions in the music are intense indeed -- even overpowering to the sensitive and open-minded listener.
24 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
All 31 works that Webern gave official Opus numbers on 3 discs, conducted by Boulez (not Kolbe!), with the Juilliard Quartet and the London Symphony Orchestra, and a superb booklet with commentary and lyrics -- so why only 4 stars? My objection is the strictly chronological presentation, and the fact that I am not won over by Webern's vocal works -- I would vastly prefer grouping the music by form. Everything is brilliantly performed, and Charles Rosen, who accompanies sopranos on piano on several pieces, plays with sparkling luminosity. But the reason I sought out this collection is because I wanted to hear Boulez's versions of Webern's masterpieces, the "Symphony (Op. 21)" and "Variations for Orchestra (Op. 30)," as well as the string trios and quartets. Here these instrumental works are mixed among the lieders, Webern's many vocal works, and I find this frustrating. I prefer hearing the instrumental pieces grouped together, as on the Dohnanyi or Sinopoli discs of orchestral works (see my reviews of both), or the Schoenberg or Emerson Quartet's discs of the string trios and quartets (see my reviews of both). Unfortunately there is not a Boulez disc comparable to the Dohnanyi (on London) or Sinopoli (on Teldec). So it's either this Sony box or the several more recently recorded discs on DG, unless of course you are a total Webern fanatic and want the Ultra-Complete box with all the numbered AND un-numbered pieces...
It's really hard to fault this excellent Webern collection. Obviously if you have a more catholic appreciation of Webern's music than I (including the vocal works), my criticism is irrelevant. If you are a completist on a budget, this is a clear choice over the more expensive box. But if you are looking for an introduction to Webern's music, the best of which is some of the best of the 20th century in my opinion, I suggest that you begin with 1) Dohnanyi and the Cleveland Orchestra, and 2) the Schoenberg Quartet.
[There is a mistake on the site. Pierre Boulez is the conductor, not Helmuth Kolbe. Careful inspection of the box reveals that Kolbe was the engineer...]
It's really hard to fault this excellent Webern collection. Obviously if you have a more catholic appreciation of Webern's music than I (including the vocal works), my criticism is irrelevant. If you are a completist on a budget, this is a clear choice over the more expensive box. But if you are looking for an introduction to Webern's music, the best of which is some of the best of the 20th century in my opinion, I suggest that you begin with 1) Dohnanyi and the Cleveland Orchestra, and 2) the Schoenberg Quartet.
[There is a mistake on the site. Pierre Boulez is the conductor, not Helmuth Kolbe. Careful inspection of the box reveals that Kolbe was the engineer...]
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Recordings of a Musical Genius
If one had to name two composers whose music set the course for the twentieth century, the names of Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg would probably most quickly come to mind. Read more
Published on January 5, 2009 by Steven Dotson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Webern from the master Boulez and company.
Boulez has a DG recording, which I have several singles from that set. The DG is very good and recommended as a second set. Read more
Published on September 12, 2006 by paul best
4.0 out of 5 stars
Webern may grow on you and Boulez et al. are worth every penny.
If you are looking for an introduction to Webern, give this a try. It has the advatage of being comprehensive and well played. If you don't like all of Webern, so be it. Read more
Published on September 17, 2005 by Critic at large
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting and Challenging
I don't know if I "like" Webern, but he is certainly interesting and challenging. The textures of his music are very fragile and transparent. Read more
Published on April 8, 2004 by Michael Newman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Webern, Boulez and the 20th Century
Boulez has a well-deserved reputation for championing masterpieces of the Twentieth Century, through performance and recordings, and also for the consistently high quality of his... Read more
Published on March 9, 2000 by Ron
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential but not complete
Anybody who cares about Webern will have to have this, even though it's not - as the title suggests - a complete Complete Works. Read more
Published on December 2, 1999 by "lexo-2"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent in clairity of performance.
When I first approached this CD, it was merely to 'fill out' the rest of my Webern collection. Because the CD was a release of old material, rather than 'top of the line' equipment... Read more
Published on July 4, 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
WEBERN'S WORKS
Like his teacher Schoenberg, the works of Anton von Webern have often been neglected in the United States. Read more
Published on June 27, 1999
