Paul Chihara composes for films. Film scores must support the narrative and communicate emotion. And it must do it in a way that instantly connects with the viewer. That skill set works well for Chihara in the classical world, too. His compositions have a transparency to them that draws the listener in. The surface may […]
CD Review
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Clementi Piano Sonatas, Op. 25, 33 & 49 – more than mechanical
Mozart wrote, “Clementi is a good clavicembalist and with this, there is no more to say. He plays well with his right hand, his strong point is the passages in thirds. For the rest he has no sentiment or taste, – in a word he is simply a mechanicus.” I’m not sure I entirely agree […]
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Ignaz Brüll – Orchestral Works; Brahms’ Friend in the Spotlight
Moravian composer Ignaz Brüll (1846-1907) moved to Vienna in 1856. He was an accomplished composer and pianist and was well-known for both talents. Brüll was a close friend of Brahms. Brahms’ symphonies were often first heard in two-piano arrangements — with Brahms and Brüll at the keyboards. Although quite successful during his lifetime, his music […]
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Intimate Chamber Music by Johann Molter and Colleagues
The liner notes for this release note that the Karlsruhe court “for reasons of cost” eschewed foreign soloists. This implies Johann Molter and other court composers had to keep their vocal writing relatively simple for the local talent. Perhaps so, but the end results were anything but second-tier. Molter has three solo cantatas on this […]
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Wesser-Renaissance Bremen Ideally Suited to Johann Rosenmüller
In the 1650s “The Amphion of his Century” was an up-and-coming musician in Leipzig. He was poised to take over as the cantor of St. Thomas’ in 1653 (a position J.S. Bach would hold years later). Suddenly everything changed. A scandal forced Johann Rosenmüller to leave in haste. While it was a setback for his […]
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Jaroslav Krcek – Instrumental Music from a Czech Master
Jaroslav Krcek is an important musical figure in the Czech Republic. He’s an authority on Czech folk music, as well as Medieval and Renaissance music. He’s a classical composer and has written “an electronic opera.” Krcek has been a music editor for Supraphon. And he’s also invented an instrument or two. Listening to this release […]
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Kalevi Aho Concertos – Contemporary Masterworks from Finland
Finnish composer Kalevi Aho is best known for his large-scale works. This release has two excellent examples: the Tympani Concerto, and the Piano Concerto No. 1. The Turku Philharmonic Orchestra commissioned the Tympani Concerto for its timpanist, Ari-Pekka Mäenpää. Speaking as a percussionist, I think it’s a masterwork. Aho worked with Mäenpää to create a […]
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Rautavaara Works for Cello — Crystalline Masterworks
If you’re only familiar with Rautavaara’s orchestral works and love them as much as I do, you should listen to this release. With only one or two instruments to work with, the essence of Rautavaara’s music is laid bare. As the artists write in the liner notes, “Rautavaara’s music surprised us with how violently it […]
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Sandro Volta’s Unvarnished Take on Petrucci Tablatures for Lute
Ottavio Petrucci was not the first music publisher. But he was the first to figure out how to print complex polyphonic scores. This release collects from his Intavolatura di Liuto (lute tablatures) — a genre that blossomed thanks in part to Petrucci’s innovations. Lutenist Sandro Volta performs music by Francesco Spinacino, Joan Ambrosio Dalza, and […]