Accolade in the repertoire

Viktor Ullmann (1898-1944) is one of those composers who were not only physically destroyed during the fatal years of the "Third Reich", but whose work was also banished from memory and musical life with frightening thoroughness. It was not until the end of the 20th century that there was enough interest for a real reappraisal. Works came to light and, even more so, to the stage which, due to their quality, can claim a permanent place in the repertoire today.

In Ullmann's small oeuvre, this applies in particular to his String Quartet op. 46, but even more so to his opera, which was written in the Theresienstadt concentration camp The Emperor of Atlantiswhich had to wait no less than 32 years for its premiere - although in the epilogue to the melody of Luther's chorale A strong castle is called for redemption: "Come death, our precious guest, / into our heart's chamber, / take from us life's sorrow and burden, / lead us to rest after pain and misery."

First published in 1992, this multi-layered work is now being presented in a newly revised edition by Schott-Verlag - and the fact that this is part of the Edition Eulenburg series can be seen as an accolade in the repertoire. The score, which is both stylistically flexible and dazzling in its instrumentation, is supplemented by an appendix with alternative versions, a critical report and a detailed preface.

Viktor Ullmann, Der Kaiser von Atlantis oder Die Tod-Verweigerung op. 49b (1943/44), play in one act by Peter Kien, edited by Henning Brauel; study score, ETP 8067, € 36.00; piano reduction, ED 8197, € 36.00; Eulenburg/Schott, Mainz 2015