Recordings

Franz Schreker was driven to an early grave by the Nazis purely because he was Jewish. His music was hardly radical or socially abrasive. One of the four works recorded here points to his lyrical, conventional bent--”Romantische Suite.” It captures a traditional, expansive romanticism. Similarly, preludes to two operas (“Die Gezeichneten” and “Memnon”) share large-scale and delicate scoring, broad melodies and, unfortunately, meandering structure. Originally part of the Suite, the Intermezzo, Opus 8, was later excised from it because of its more advanced style. Advanced, however, means Puccini-esque delicacy and richness. Conlon conducts with tenderness and affection. The orchestra plays sumptuously. But these are works of a minor composer.