These arrangements for string orchestra of works by Alban Berg take their cue from Berg himself: he arranged three of the six movements of the Lyric Suite for string orchestra; the Dutch composer Theo Verby arranged the other three.

The CD includes an arrangement of Berg’s Piano Sonata for strings by Wijnand van Kklaveren; the early works were arranged specially for this recording by Ernst Kovacic.

The arrangements chart his development as a composer, from prentice pieces composed under the tutelage of Arnold Schoenberg to the rich, mature style of one of his masterpieces, the Lyric Suite, written to express an impassioned and illicit love.

This release marks the end of Ernst Kovacic’s seven years as artistic director of the NRM Leopoldinum Chamber Orchestra in Wrocław.

Their previous Toccata Classics album, of music by Ernst Krenek (TOCC0199), was received with universal enthusiasm, the reviewer for Fanfare writing: ‘This Toccata Classics CD is a model of fine production values. Magisterial performances and honest, well-balanced sound aid Krenek’s eloquent music [...] It is an absolute must for Krenek fanciers’.