Franz Schreker (1878-1934) is known for his quirky and effective operas, and this two-disc set fills in his fascinating background as a vocal and orchestral composer around the beginning of the 20th century. The bombastic Symphony No 1 is a student work redolent of Bruckner and Brahms, and like the later Tanzspiel (a collection of dances) comes across as derivative, though effective. More striking are the vocal pieces, ripe and late romantic but showing Schreker's growing harmonic individuality. Listeners here may not want the extended spoken recitations in German, but the Five Songs sung by mezzo Mechthild Georg are prophetic of later music.