Transfigured

In the ever-evolving landscape of classical music interpretation, the Kaleidoscope Collective offers a refreshing take on Schoenberg’s “Verklärte Nacht,” steering away from the increasingly common path of languid melancholy. In “Transfigured,” the ensemble ignites the youthful exuberance that fueled Schoenberg’s response to Richard Dehmel’s poem, reviving the work’s original sextet version with vigor and vitality. 

Elena Urioste and her colleagues infuse the performance with sinewy tones and a forthright attack, drawing the listener closer to Dehmel’s poetic narrative. The inclusion of the poem in the booklet provides valuable context, allowing the audience to appreciate the precise correspondence between notes and text, evoking the composer’s intentions vividly. 

“Transfigured” constructs a compelling musical journey, recreating an imaginary evening around 1901 in the company of Vienna’s musical luminaries. Gustav Mahler’s presence looms large, even in his absence, as Alma Mahler’s lieder take center stage. Francesca Chiejina’s dark mezzo-soprano hues add depth and emotion, suggesting her potential as a formidable Wood-Dove in “Gurrelieder.” Her mastery is evident as she delicately covers her voice and steps back from the microphone during the closing bars of Alma’s “Erntelied.” 

The recurring head motif from “Verklärte Nacht” permeates the opening of Zemlinsky’s work, hinting at the deep interconnection between the two composers. Whether Schoenberg knew Zemlinsky’s “Maiblumen blühten überall” in its unfinished state or both drew from a shared harmonic language, the Kaleidoscope Collective expertly highlights the chromatic harmony and aching suspensions of fin de siècle Vienna. This era saw the likes of Debussy and Stravinsky moving away from such romanticism, and Webern, on the cusp of change, demonstrated a more opulent tonality in his Piano Quintet’s first movement. The Kaleidoscope’s performance stands out, with Tom Poster’s impeccable articulation and thoughtful piano part balancing. 

“Transfigured” is a mesmerizing exploration of the musical zeitgeist of early 20th-century Vienna. The Kaleidoscope Collective breathes new life into these compositions, offering an alternative perspective that invigorates these timeless works. If you seek a departure from the slow and melancholic interpretations of “Verklärte Nacht,” this album is a delightful and thought-provoking choice.