I am proud to announce the release of a new album, The Korngold Symphony.
On this two-disc release, the first disc presents, for the first time ever, a recording of the Symphony in F#, Op.40 performed by the composer himself, an incredibly special historical recording from the Korngold Family Archives. The second disc presents a 1997 live performance by conductor John Mauceri and the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, connecting the spirit of the work from conception - in the mind and fingers of the great composer - to its full glory performed by a symphony orchestra.
Starting in 2019, an inquiry was made by Supertrain about the 1997 orchestra recording. After permission was obtained from the orchestra and conductor, Mauceri connected all of the parties with Leslie Korngold, the composer’s grandson.
In part of Mauceri’s research into this Symphony back in the 1990s, he had asked the family about the existence of any materials which might shed light on the history of the piece and how it might be interpreted. The conductor was granted access to this incredible reference recording of Korngold playing the piece himself from the early 1950s.
The mysteries of recording’s existence and its journey to this current release are discussed in the 24 page booklet including essays from Leslie Korngold, John Mauceri, and Richard Guérin of Supertrain Records. The booklet also includes archival photos of Korngold, the Korngold Family, and images of the original recording source material.