Erich Wolfgang Korngold

Sinfonietta in B op. 5

Sinfonietta, Op. 5 was composed from 1911-1912 by Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957) when the composer was only fifteen years old, astonishing audiences and critics with its extraordinary sophistication and orchestral mastery. Dedicated to Felix Weingartner, who championed the young composer's music, the work reflects the luxuriant late-Romantic tradition of Mahler and Richard Strauss while already revealing Korngold's distinctive gift for sweeping melody and brilliant orchestration. The massive orchestral forces and expansive structure belie the title "Sinfonietta," presenting instead a highly ambitious symphonic statement. The work premiered on November 30, 1913, in Vienna under Weingartner's direction and immediately established Korngold as one of Europe's most celebrated musical prodigies. The Sinfonietta occupies an important place in the early 20th-century orchestral repertoire, increasingly performed and can be viewed as a remarkable precursor to the cinematic orchestral style that Korngold would later bring to Hollywood film music. Instrumentation: 3(3rd dPicc).2(2nd dEH).2+1(BCl).2+1(CBsn): 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(3): 2Hp.Clst,Pno: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set). Reprint edition.