Tenor Ian Koziara and pianist Bradley Moore spotlight art songs by Franz Schreker, Vítězslava Kaprálová, Viktor Ullmann, and Alexander von Zemlinsky, whose musical achievements were overshadowed by the oppression of the Third Reich. This album marks the first tenor-voice recording for almost all of these rare songs. The musical language of these early 20th century works is more Late Romantic than Modern, with chromaticism and rich harmonies that tie them to the songs of Richard Strauss, Joseph Marx, and especially the early songs of Alban Berg.
Chicago audiences may remember Ian Koziara as an alumnus of Program for Singers of Ravinia Steans Music Institute. Now a Chicago-based artist, the tenor sings regularly at Oper Frankfurt and has made debuts at leading venues including the Metropolitan Opera, Glimmerglass, Teatro La Fenice, and Opéra National du Capitole, among others.
