Prague, Czech Republic – The highly anticipated return of Arnold Schönberg’s monumental late-Romantic cantata, Gurre-Lieder, to a Prague stage has been announced as part of the Musica non grata cycle. This historic production marks a significant moment in the Czech Republic’s musical and cultural landscape, showcasing the revival of composers who faced persecution during the interwar period. The event is organized by the National Theatre in Prague and supported by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Completed in 1911, Gurre-Lieder holds a special place in Schönberg’s artistic development, even though he had moved away from the compositional style employed in the piece. The title, meaning “Songs of Gurre,” draws inspiration from the medieval Danish legend of King Valdemar and his ill-fated mistress, Tove Lille. Their tragic love story, depicted in the poem cycle Gurresange by Jens Peter Jacobsen, serves as the foundation for Schönberg’s opus, capturing themes of jealousy, betrayal, and eternal damnation.

The sheer magnitude of Gurre-Lieder’s orchestration is awe-inspiring. It calls for five vocal soloists, a narrator, men’s and mixed choirs, and an enormous orchestra comprising 25 woodwinds, 25 brass instruments, four harps, a celesta, 16 different percussion instruments (including iron chains), and an exceptionally large string section. The meticulously crafted work features around 35 leading motifs, each representing various characters, natural phenomena, and emotional states.

Notably, Schönberg introduced the innovative technique of Sprechgesang, or “spoken singing,” in Gurre-Lieder’s narration, a style he would later employ in his renowned 1912 melodrama, Pierrot lunaire. This groundbreaking approach added a new dimension to the composition, blending spoken and sung elements in a harmonious and expressive manner.

The Gurre-Lieder premiered in Bohemia on June 9, 1921, under the baton of Alexander Zemlinsky at the Neues Deutsches Theater. Since then, it has been hailed as a masterpiece of immense proportions. The last staging of this opus took place during the 2006 Prague Spring festival, making the forthcoming performance a highly anticipated event for both music enthusiasts and cultural connoisseurs alike.

The Musica non grata cycle aims to celebrate the legacy of persecuted composers from interwar Czechoslovakia, honoring those who suffered under National Socialism or faced discrimination based on their religious, racial, political, or gender identities. Through this initiative, the Czech Republic and Germany collaborate to preserve and showcase the artistic contributions of these individuals, ensuring their rightful place in the historical narrative of music.

Audiences can look forward to the long-awaited return of Gurre-Lieder, which promises to captivate and overwhelm with its grandeur and emotional depth. The production will transport spectators into a world of tragic love, mythical symbolism, and the timeless power of music. For more information and updates on the Musica non grata cycle, visit musicanongrata.cz, and prepare to embark on an unforgettable musical journey.

Article by Prague Forum