Alban Berg, student of the influential expressionist composer Arnold Schoenberg, began composing at the age of 15 and had already achieved relative success with his opera Wozzeck by the time he wrote his Lyric Suite. In fact, it was a trip to Prague in 1925 to hear a performance of the orchestral pieces from Wozzeck, conducted by Alexander Zemlinsky, that provided its inspiration.
Lyric Suite is dedicated to Zemlinsky, with the title directly referencing Zemlinsky’s own Lyric Symphony, and quoting Zemlinsky’s music within it: But while in Prague Berg stayed with Herbert Fuchs-Robettin and his wife Hanna, the latter of whom who he became infatuated by, and became romantically involved with despite them both being married, who was undoubtedly the true inspiration for the Lyric Suite.
Originally written for String Quartet, the Lyric Suite became some of Berg’s most well-known and popular music. Such was its popularity that in 1928 he took movements 2-4 and orchestrated them for string orchestra, which is the version we see performed here by the string section of Â鶹ԼÅÄ NOW. From soft, delicate gestures, to intensely passionate melodies this suite encapsulates the emotions of love and secrecy in a style truly Berg’s own.
Programme Note © Amy Campbell
