KORNGOLD: Sursum Corda / Sinfonietta

Composed when Korngold was only 14, the four-movement 'Sinfonietta', portrays a phenomenal expertise both in organization of musical ideas and in the handling of the orchestra: exquisitely orchestrated and crafted with an idiosyncrasy of harmony and rhythmic manipulation. Coupled with 'Sursum corda', an early virtuoso showpiece, and extraordinarily sumptuous piece, reminiscent of 'Pines of Rome', some of it was later used as some of the material for Korngold's score for 'Robin Hood' for which he received an Academy Award. Bamert's performances of these compelling examples of Korngold's early orchestral output were well received by the critics on original release, and are welcomed onto the Classics label for the first time. 'Here are glorious performances of two of his early orchestral works.' - BBC Music Magazine