SCHOENBERG : Serenade; Variations, Op. 31; Bach Orchestrations (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Robert Craft has been Schoenberg's most committed interpreter since the Fifties when he led various permutations of studio musicians in a series of recordings of the Viennese master's complete works for the Columbia label. Personal commitment, however, proved no substitute for conducting technique, and many if not most Craft's Columbia Schoenberg recordings were almost as amusical as they were atonal. Fortunately, Craft grew both as a technician and as an interpreter, and his Nineties recordings of Schoenberg for the Koch label were far more musical and thus far more compelling. This disc joining Schoenberg's Serenade and Orchestral Variations with his three Bach orchestrations are Craft at his ripest and most knowing. With the American Twentieth Century Classical Ensemble plus English bass Stephen Varcoe, Craft leads a subtle, supple and amazingly melodious performance of Schoenberg's Serenade. And with the thoroughly English Philharmonia Orchestra of London, Craft leads a witty, muscular and intellectually bracing performance of Schoenberg's Variations and devoted, dedicated and delightful performances of his three Bach orchestrations. And in all three works, producers Robert Fine and Gregory Squires provide close, warm and detailed sound. For Schoenberg fans, no more need be said.  by James Leonard