Eisler, Hanns (1893 - 1962)

[Serial_Apologist]

This link to David Blake's lengthy document on Eisler might hopefully provide something of a launch pad for this belated introduction to the forum, offering as it does invaluable insights into one of the most interesting and rewarding figures of 20th century music, helped by the author's knowledgeable insights and his having remained in touch with the composer to the end.

http://www.scribd.com/document/460325899/David-Blake-Hanns-Eisler-Contemporary-Music-Stu-BookZZ-org-pdf#

[gurnemanz]

Having just done a German degree, I did a post-grad teaching qualification at York in 71-72. Some of us found the Music Department there very interesting and we went to quite a few of their events, including a talk from John Cage and Prof Mellers' famous lectures on the Beatles. One that caught my eye was Dr Fritz Hennenberg from Leipzig on "Brecht and his Music". I assume David Blake had instigated the invitation. I was able to chat to Dr H afterwards and later met up with him in Leipzig where he was Chefdramaturg at the Gewandhaus. He was an expert on Eisler, and his wife, the soprano Roswitha Trexler, who I also got to know quite well, was one of the foremost interpreters of his music.

I had several East German LPs of Eisler's music but was very glad when a few years ago Brilliant brought out their 10CD Eisler Edition based around those DDR recordings - a great way of expanding one's appreciation of the composer.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7987406--hanns-eisler-edition

[Bryn]

I will ever be grateful for the encouragement I received from John Tilbury regarding the music of Hans Eisler. I think I have all the recordings which were licenced for the Brilliant Classics boxed set, plus many others made in the former DDR. An extra-special 'unofficial' recording I have is of a Tilbury-directed performance of "The Mother" in an English Language adaptation by John Arden and Margaretta D'Arcy which transferred the scenario from revolutionary Russia to Northern Ireland during 'The Troubles. The adaptation was sufficiently controversial for the Arts Council to withdraw its grant for the QEH performance, (which went ahead regardless). Related, I would strongly recommend Roswitha Trexler's recording with John Tilbury of Schoenberg's "Das Buch der hängenden Gärten":

https://i.discogs.com/ThJpl_8KgOu5u0-HmrUyXIWRFupr3PN1tWb4aC2MZ5M/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:595/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTkyNTcy/MDQtMTY2MDQ5MTA5/Mi0zMTM5LmpwZWc.jpeg

[Mandryka]

I will ever be grateful for the encouragement I received from John Tilbury regarding the music of Hans Eisler. I think I have all the recordings which were licenced for the Brilliant Classics boxed set, plus many others made in the former DDR. An extra-special 'unofficial' recording I have is of a Tilbury-directed performance of "The Mother" in an English Language adaptation by John Arden and Margaretta D'Arcy which transferred the scenario from revolutionary Russia to Northern Ireland during 'The Troubles. The adaptation was sufficiently controversial for the Arts Council to withdraw its grant for the QEH performance, (which went ahead regardless). Related, I would strongly recommend Roswitha Trexler's recording with John Tilbury of Schoenberg's "Das Buch der hängenden Gärten":

https://i.discogs.com/ThJpl_8KgOu5u0...M5LmpwZWc.jpeg

Where’s a good place for me to start listening to Eisler’s songs? I like the recording of Schoenberg’s Das Buch der hängenden Gärten which you mentioned, or at least, I like the one on JT’s website, but so far nothing by Eisler has caught my imagination really.

(How is John Tilbury, by the way? I hope he’s doing well.)

[Bryn]

I think a good place to start with the songs is some of the historical recordings on the Berlin Classics label (formerly VEB Deutsche Schallplatten Berlin). However, I'd recommend starting with something like Die Mutter. Lots of good songs in that in addition to it being a fine adaptation of the Gorky work.

As to JT, despite his mobility restrictions, he is still working on his music. At his request, I recently compiled and sent a recording of works by Haydn and Mozart he played at a Conway Hall recital back in 1998. I hope to get over to visit once the rail industrial disputes are settled and the rail industry has also sorted out its problems with successfully completing orders for 3-year Senior Railcards (I have taken my car off the road).

On the subject of Railcards, by the way, see also https://www.which.co.uk/news/article...r-aneCL6v2bos0

[Mandryka]

I think a good place to start with the songs is some of the historical recordings on the Berlin Classics label (formerly VEB Deutsche Schallplatten Berlin). However, I'd recommend starting with something like Die Mutter. Lots of good songs in that in addition to it being a fine adaptation of the Gorky work.

As to JT, despite his mobility restrictions, he is still working on his music. At his request, I recently compiled and sent a recording of works by Haydn and Mozart he played at a Conway Hall recital back in 1998. I hope to get over to visit once the rail industrial disputes are settled and the rail industry has also sorted out its problems with successfully completing orders for 3-year Senior Railcards (I have taken my car off the road).

On the subject of Railcards, by the way, see also https://www.which.co.uk/news/article...r-aneCL6v2bos0

Please tell him I play his F minor variations from Conway Hall in 1998 often and so I’ll be one of the first to download the rest of the recital if it’s ever available. Will check Die Mutter very soon.

[Mandryka]

Enjoying Mathias Goerne singing The Hollywood Songbook.

[Mandryka]

And now seem that Roswitha Trexler has recorded the Hollywood Songs. On to Die Mutter tomorrow.

[gurnemanz]

There are some terrific Eisler recordings by the legendary Gisela May, doyenne of German political political song. I picked up this seminal 8CD box for a very reasonable price s few years ago

https://www.bear-family.de/may-gisela/

[Serial_Apologist]

There are indeed!

[Opinionated Knowall]

Thanks for reminding me of Eisler, something of a passion 40-odd years ago! I have an old CD of Fischer-Dieskau which is worth a listen, along with Goerne's Hollywood songbook, and about half the Berlin Classics recordings. Any recommendations for recordings of Die Mutter? I've tried the Chandos (rather murky recording, less than incisive pianos and not very idiomatic singing) and the historical one on Berlin Classics, that is just a bit too...historical. There's a student performance from Ghent which is lively, but the unfortunate baritone soloist gets a frog in one of the songs (perhaps it was live?). Thanks!

[Bryn]

There is this English language version of The Mother: https://archive.org/details/brecht-e...her-2019-peake

I also have an unofficial recording of a performance of the Arden and D'Arcy adaptation of the Gorky/Brecht story, directed by John Tilbury.

[Opinionated Knowall]

Thanks Bryn, that English language version is really terrific. I didn't know that site before. What a treasure trove!

[Serial_Apologist]

I completed the marathon reading of David Blake's document, referred to by myself in the OP, and found it to be one of the most worthwhile, comprehensive and, above all - remembering the times they were dealing with along with the oft-mentioned accusations of bad faith, in denialism and so on directed at the various protagonists involved - revealing honesty from the contributers to both this text and the debates of the time. Most surprising for me was the level of in-depth thoroughness that marked the debates which were taking place under and despite the repressive aegis of Stalinism. I found more than I had expected to agree with in Eisler's often prophetic views on various matters - aside clearly from on African American music, where he took the then-current line of brandishing it inherently corrupted. In the latter light he was certainly right to criticise dogmatic peers adopting rigid political positions on aesthetics. There and in other positions he was a good decade ahead of comrades in the West who were to take their leave of Moscow in the wake of Czechoslovakia in '68, and furthermore to not shirk facing down the contradictions inherent in any notion of "socialism" imposed from above. All in all one of the most educative and still meaningful documents I have been privileged to read and digest: I can now return to the music with ears, mind and heart refreshed!

[Serial_Apologist]

There are some terrific Eisler recordings by the legendary Gisela May, doyenne of German political political song. I picked up this seminal 8CD box for a very reasonable price s few years ago

https://www.bear-family.de/may-gisela/

Did you see my PM, gurney?

[gurnemanz]

Hello Serial. Sorry. Hadn't spotted the posts. Thanks for the nudge. Just off out - tennis - in the sun! Links look v interesting. Look forward to following up later.
Roger

[Serial_Apologist]

Hello Serial. Sorry. Hadn't spotted the posts. Thanks for the nudge. Just off out - tennis - in the sun! Links look v interesting. Look forward to following up later.
Roger