Founded in November 1918 by Arnold Schoenberg (1874–1951) and a few of his confidants, the Association for Private Musical Performances constituted perhaps the most progressive and most intensive opportunity for a select Viennese musical circle to familiarize themselves with contemporary and the latest works of the international composers scene in the immediate aftermath of the First World War and hence at the time of dearth of a cultural spirit of optimism and innovation. Schoenberg had a close personal tie with many of the composers performed at the association concerts. The association became a nursery for the entire modern music from Richard Strauss and Debussy to Webern, as far as the instrumentation of the works allowed. {Capriccio}

This 8-Disc box-set collection that brings together recordings by the Linos Ensemble made between 1999 and 2011, is released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Association for Private Musical Performances, whose main mandate was to promote and present, to a broader audience, important symphonic works of the time by arranging and preparing concert performances by a chamber ensemble consisting of woodwinds, horn, a handful of stringed instruments, piano, harmonium and percussion. This allowed for public performances in practically any venue and at a fraction of the cost. Most of the chamber arrangements were completed by Arnold Schoenberg, Anton Webern, Alban Berg, Erwin Stein and Hanns Eisler, and skilfully so. For example, take Mahler's Fourth Symphony or Bruckner's Seventh. Brilliantly orchestrated works scored for large orchestra, exploiting all of the textural and colorful details of a full orchestra. Well, except for the sense of depth and scope, the general effect is not lost in the translation. If anything, the paring down to smaller forces adds detail and immediacy. It's like looking at an X-ray image and being able to study the skeletal structure of a symphonic work up close and personal. And the members of the Linos Ensemble, whose mandate is to seek out and record chamber works of lesser known composers, like this recent recording of chamber music by Arnold Krug, are so well matched that they generate a much beefier and ample sound, and commited playing, than their crew of eleven would suggest. In these recordings they are joined by baritone Olaf Bär, sopranos Alison Browner and Simone Nold, mezzo-sopranos Marion Eckstein, Zoryana Kushpler and Ivonne Fuchs, tenor Markus Schäfer, and violinist Winfried Rademacher.

An essential compilation for any serious collector offered at a bargain price.