Before breaking the mold of late Romantic music, Arnold Schoenberg was well on his way to taking his place next to Mahler and Strauss. Gurre-Lieder is one of his most opulent examples of Art Nouveau, and gives a tantalizing taste of his skill for harmony and orchestration.

If you don't know this work, the cast here makes a very good argument for it. Martina Arroyo brings grandeur to the role of Tove.

As the Waldtaube, Janet Baker displays a more dramatic side to her instrument.

The piece ends with a melodrama; Julius Patzak delivers the spoken lines. One can't help but wonder if this section could be viewed as proto-Sprechstimme...