Friedemann Eichhorn completes his traversal of Pierre Rode’s violin concertos in fine style. Over the years Eichhorn seems to have internalized Rode’s technique, and perhaps some of his aesthetic. In this recording, he plays with a sweet tone and a light touch. Pierre Rode was one of the most brilliant violinists of his age, a […]
CD Review
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Ruman Gamba Shows Dag Wirén More Than a One-Hit Wonder
I think it must be frustrating to be a one-hit wonder — especially in the field of classical music. Swedish composer Dag Wirén wrote five symphonies, three concertos, five string quartets, nine film scores, several ballets. Yet most orchestras only program one of his works — the Serenade for Strings. The work was dashed off […]
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I Musici Excel with Sammartini
This release is the first complete recording of Giuseppe Sammartini’s Op. 2 Concertos. These concerti had disappointing sales when first published. But by the late 1740s, the collection was selling quite well –especially in England. Sammartini’s concertos artfully balance between extremes. They have robust polyphonic sections, yet remain transparent. They can be played by amateurs, […]
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Collegium 1704 Joyfully Performs Myslivecek Concertos and Symphonies
One of the most prominent composers in 18th Century Italy was Czech composer Josef Myslivecek. From about 1763 through 1781 he produced 26 operas, several oratorios, over 50 symphonies, and several violin concertos. He was also a close family friend to the Mozarts — Leopold and Wolfgang. The younger Mozart admired Myslivecek’s music. Some scholars […]
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Salomon Jadassohn – a Late Romantic Rediscovered
Salomon Jadassohn is better known as a teacher than a composer. While at the Leipzig Conservatory he taught Edward Grieg, Ferruccio Busoni, and Frederick Delius, just to name a few. As a composer, he completed over 140 compositions. This release features his four Serenades for Orchestra, along with his first symphony and first piano concerto. […]
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Jan Ladislav Dussek Piano Sonatas Volume 2
Brilliant Classics is using eight pianists for their traversal of Dussek piano sonatas. It’s a, well, brilliant idea. It allows each pianist to dive deep into the works they’re going to record. Volume 2 of the series features pianist Piet Kuijken. His thoughtful liner notes show the amount of research he’s applied to these sonatas […]
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Franz Xaver Richter Sinfonias, Sonatas & Oboe Concerto – Mannheim Masterpieces
This release presents a sampling of Franz Xaver Richter’s work while attached to the Mannheim court. it’s an interesting choice for a program. By some accounts, Richter was the odd man out at court. Franz Ignaz Beck, Carl Stamitz, and the other court composers were interested in pushing boundaries. This Mannheim School developed the dramatic […]
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Louis Glass Complete Symphonies, Vol. 2 – Insightful Performances
Volume 2 of CPO’s series present two Louis Glass works with a common theme. Both the works have strong theosophist elements. Glass found inspiration in the movement’s mystical imagery. The 1912 Fantasia for Piano and Orchestra bears this motto: “From the spirit’s eternal canopy tones calling man sound down. And man turns away from the […]
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Unconquered – Michael Torke Expresses Positive Patriotism
In my opinion, Michael Torke is something of a national treasure. He has the rare ability to take elements of American culture and develop them with all the tools of a contemporary classical composer. The end result is music that sounds distinctly American. It’s always connected to the traditions of the past, but with a […]