In 1918 Arnold Schoenberg founded the ‘Verein für musikalische Privataufführungen’ (Society for Private Musical Performances) in Vienna.

At the age of forty-four, Schoenberg was widely considered one of the most important and influential composers of his time. After his experiences in the ultra-conservative Viennese music life, culminating in the horrors of the infamous Scandal-concert of 31 March 1913, Schoenberg felt that the time had come to introduce a different way of presenting new music to an interested audience.

The five compositions on this CD were composed within a decade, between 1908 and 1918. Etcetera Records is delighted that the world famous soprano Anna Lucia Richter gave her permission to use the live recording on the Orlando Festival of the Lieder op.8 and op.13 of Anton Webern.

This is even more unique as it will probably be the last recording of Anna Lucia Richter as a soprano. Soon after the recording she decided to sing only mezzo soprano parts.