Smithsonian Chamber Players & Kenneth Slowik - Schoenberg - Verklärte Nacht & Chamber Symphony No. 1 (2011)

The Smithsonian Chamber Players explore the early music that set the stage for the development of famed 20th century composer Arnold Schoenberg in this 2 disc, CD-DVD set. Performing in two historic Washington D.C. venues (the Smithsonian Castle Building and The Library of Congress' Coolidge Auditorium), this GRAMMY nominated ensemble led by conductor Kenneth Slowik, give not only an audio, but also video performance for these two great works.

This DVD takes the viewer on a journey around the world, with full performances of Verklärte Nacht (filmed at the Smithsonian Castle) and Chamber Symphony No. 1 (filmed in the Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress), on to Schoenberg's home in Modling outside of Vienna, a satelite museum for the Schoenberg Center. In depth discussions about these two early works of Schoenberg by scholars and musicians, as well as those who knew Schoenberg through his life bring the music to life, giving the listener new insight into these pieces. Full musical breakdowns of the pieces with examples from Schoenbergs own notes as well as examples shown by conductor Kenneth Slowik, will provide an understanding of the music that could not be achieved by listening alone.

Along with the interviews, the DVD is full of rare images provided by the Schoenberg Center, as well as discussions by Jon Newsom and Richard Hoffman regarding the connections between the Library of Congress and Schoenberg, a tour of the Schoenberg Center by Center director, Christian Meyer, and a discussion about the Smithsonian and it's continued commitment to music by Smithsonian under Secretary of History Arts and Culture, Richard Kurin.