Capriccio

14/01/2026

🔍 Composer Spotlight: Franz Schreker 🔍

In our latest 'Classical Discoveries' podcast, we shine a light on Franz Schreker, a figure often described as the "missing link" between Schoenberg and Zemlinsky. But who was he?

Schreker was a master of "wildly Freudian fairy-tale operas" that dominated stages before WWII. His music was so innovative it was considered "too modern" and "shocking" in Vienna, yet he was immensely popular. Tragically, the rise of the N***s led to his works being suppressed and largely forgotten.

Want to learn more about this visionary composer and his profound impact on 20th-century music? Listen to 'Classical Discoveries - #21 : FRANZ SCHREKER' now: https://youtu.be/ELboKpOL77Q

09/01/2026

🚀 It's HERE! 🚀

Our latest episode of Classical Discoveries, featuring the incredible Franz Schreker, is officially LIVE!

Join Jens & Joe as they explore the life and works of this "old-fashioned modernist" – a composer whose groundbreaking operas were once as widely performed as those of Richard Strauss, yet fell into obscurity. Learn about his unique sound and the historical forces that shaped his legacy.

Tune in now and uncover the genius of Franz Schreker! Watch now: https://youtu.be/ELboKpOL77Q

In this episode, Jens & Joe tackle Franz Schreker, the missing link between Schoenberg and Zemlinsky – and a composer of wildly Freudian fairy-tale operas th...

23/12/2025

✨ CAPRICCIO CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS (Part 2) ✨

From grand choral anthologies to intimate regional traditions, these five albums create very different Christmas soundworlds:
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6️⃣ C7331 – 100 Christmas Classics
A 5‑CD journey through 100 classical Christmas tracks, from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio to beloved carols like Silent Night, featuring leading choirs and soloists.
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7️⃣ C3032 – Assisi Christmas Cantatas
Newly rediscovered cantatas from the Sacro Convento library in Assisi: 700 years of Italian Christmas tradition, performed with chamber intimacy and contemplative simplicity.
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8️⃣ C3031 – Scandinavian Christmas
Traditional songs from Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland – gentle, melancholic, almost meditative Christmas moods from the far North.
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9️⃣ C3033 – Orthodox Christmas
Immerse yourself in the deep resonance of Orthodox Christmas chants, with hypnotic choral textures and timeless sacred atmosphere.
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🔟 C3030 – Christmas in the Austrian Alps
Down‑to‑earth folk carols and dialect songs from the Alpine regions, capturing the sound of an authentic village Christmas rather than “high” concert music.
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🎄 Save this post for your holiday listening, and tag a friend who needs new Christmas inspiration this year.

22/12/2025

✨ CAPRICCIO CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS (Part 1) ✨

Looking for something more than the usual carols this Christmas? Here are five story-rich favourites from the Capriccio and Orfeo catalogues:
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1️⃣ C10216 – Saint-Saëns: Christmas Oratorio / Mendelssohn: Vom Himmel hoch
A glowing French Oratorio de Noël paired with Mendelssohn’s festive chorale setting – an elegant mix of lyrical solos, chorus and orchestra for Christmas night.

2️⃣ C10594 – Christmas with the Vienna Boys’ Choir
The world‑famous Vienna Boys’ Choir in a festive programme of traditional and German Christmas songs – pure, radiant choral sound for cosy evenings.
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3️⃣ C10508 – Schütz / Schelle: Christmas Histories
Baroque storytelling at its finest: Schütz’s Weihnachtshistorie and Schelle’s music bring the Nativity vividly to life in the German tradition.​​

4️⃣ C10551 – Rheinberger: The Star of Bethlehem
A lyrical Christmas cantata by Rheinberger, combining romantic choral writing with devotional atmosphere around the star that leads to the manger.

5️⃣ C71015 – Cartellieri: Christmas Oratorio
Discover an 18th‑century Christmas oratorio gem: Cartellieri’s festive score with soloists, chorus and orchestra offers a fresh alternative to the “usual suspects”.
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🎧 Which one will you press play on first?

19/12/2025

Counting down to Christmas! 🎄 Rediscover our festive podcast on YouTube: Classical Discoveries - #07: CHRISTMAS CLASSICS beyond Bach.

Join Jens & Joe as they unwrap hidden gems from Pfitzner to Sibelius, and even Schoenberg! Explore Christmas music beyond the usual, from Renaissance to Romantic, and Russian Orthodox. Perfect for classical enthusiasts or anyone seeking new holiday tunes. Tune in for unexpected delights and musical gifts!

https://youtu.be/jJUVTVhkM7o

Join Jens and Joe on Classical Discoveries for a festive exploration of Christmas music beyond Bach! Discover hidden gems like Pfitzner's "Christelflein," Rh...

12/12/2025

🎉 It's premiere day for Classical Discoveries! 🎉

Episode #20 is here, and we're diving into the wonderful world of Johann Strauss II and his contemporaries! 🎶 Get ready to waltz through 19th-century Vienna and discover the composers who made the city dance. 💃🕺

👉 Tune in now to explore the history of "light music" and uncover some hidden gems!

🔗 Watch now: https://youtu.be/2SvlcOLijQE?si=ZsDvsYGt9w_7hvpq

If you wanted to dance with somebody, in 19th century Vienna, Johann Strauss was your best bet to provide the soundtrack. But he wasn't alone in churning out...

12/12/2025

From sacred Renaissance treasures to Baroque masterpieces and classic Christmas carols, this “Christmas Classics” playlist offers a magical classical holiday experience to remember! ✨🎄 Featuring boys' choirs like Vienna Boys Choir singing Handel’s “For unto us a child is born,” Mendelssohn’s “Vom Himmel hoch,” and timeless favorites like “Stille Nacht.”

Happy Holidays! ❄️

Discover now on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5xW8tLfl0tueqAaprdY3ds?si=pGafzRwSQKCyme6D8gfrOg&pi=2HGFx80WQY-KD

11/12/2025

Delve into Humperdinck's Das Mirakel! This pantomime in two acts, with libretto by Karl Gustav Vollmoeller, is a rediscovered gem. Steffen Tast, praised for his Humperdinck interpretations, leads the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin in a definitive performance. Featuring stellar vocals from Sophie Klussmann & Josette Micheler. Explore this masterpiece: https://naxos.lnk.to/C5543FA!Capriccio

10/12/2025

Step into 19th‑century Vienna, where Johann Strauss II reigned as the “Waltz King.” In this episode, Jens and Joe celebrate his birthday, explore rivals like Suppè and Offenbach, and spotlight composers from Ziehrer to Lumbye, Millöcker, and Oscar Straus. With sparkling recordings from Kowalski, Steinsky, Steinberg, Weil, Sándor, and leading European orchestras, this journey reveals the vibrant world of operetta and dance music that defined an era.

Tune in Friday for a whirlwind of waltzes, polkas, and operetta delights: https://youtu.be/2SvlcOLijQE

08/12/2025

Discover the magic! ✨ The first complete recording of Engelbert Humperdinck's Das Mirakel (The Miracle) is here! Performed by the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin & Rundfunkchor Berlin, conducted by Steffen Tast, featuring Sophie Klussmann & Josette Micheler. Experience this stunning pantomime. Listen now! https://naxos.lnk.to/C5543FA!Capriccio

05/12/2025

🎄✨ Premiere Today! ✨🎄

Step into the enchanting world of Christmas with the world-famous Vienna Boys' Choir!

Experience the magic from their home, the festively decorated Augarten Palace. As every year, the choirboys are joyfully preparing for the season, with frequent rehearsals, a beautifully adorned Christmas tree, and merry songs filling the air. This year, they sing for themselves – and for the boy in the crib – a truly heartwarming festival of songs without an audience, celebrating the pure spirit of Christmas.

A beautiful production brought to life by:
🎬 Screenplay & Director: Alfons Stummer
🌟 Executive Producer: Axel Stummer / CCC Film, Vienna
🎶 Producer: Johannes Kernmayer

Please note: This production includes archive recordings where original techniques may not compare to modern video standards.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/x69GujtSupw

Vienna: the festively decorated Augarten Palace, the home of the world famousVienna Boys' Choir. As at Christmastime every year, the choirboys are preparing ...