Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek was primarily an opera composer. Two of the three suites in the release have their origins on the stage. Nevertheless, they show that Reznicek was quite comfortable writing for the concert hall. The Karneval Suite “in an older style” was extracted from Reznicek’s two-act opera Gondoliere des Dogen. The drama’s set in the […]
Classical music
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Solistes Européens deliver with Farrenc Symphony No. 1
Back in September 2018 I reviewed the debut release by the Solistes Européens, Luxembourg with conductor Christoph König. It was a release of Louise Farrenc’s second and third symphonies. I said, “The Solistes Européens has a fine ensemble blend. König leads them in fiery, committed performances. I would love to hear them perform Farrenc’s first symphony.” […]
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#ClassicsaDay #ClassicalDoubleDigits Week 2
The Classics a Day team noted that the new year is comprised of two twenties — double digits. So the theme for January 2020 is to post other examples of double digits found in classical music. Prolific composers are a good place to start. But I found a few surprises among composers with very small […]
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Carl Reinecke cello works trace composer’s development
This release features the four works for cello and piano of Carl Reinecke. The earliest was written when the composer was 31; the last when he was 73. Collectively they provide snapshots of Reinecke’s artistic development. Cellist Martin Rummel and pianist Roland Krüger garnered great reviews for their release of Joseph Merk’s cello works. This […]
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Albert Nepomuceno symphony launches new Brazilian music series
This release launches a new series from Naxos — the Music of Brazil. Working with three Brazilian orchestras, Naxos will record about 100 works by native composers. It should be a phenomenal and revelatory cycle. That’s my impression after hearing this first release of music by Alberto Nepomuceno (1864-1920). It’s a logical place to start. […]
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Katarzyna Drogosz bring Franz Xaver Mozart out of father’s shadow
In his lifetime Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart was better known as a virtuoso pianist than a composer. And for good reason. As a performer, he was judged on the merits of his own talent. As a composer, he was always compared to his father, Wolfgang Amadeus. As a result, F.X. Mozart virtually ceased composing in […]
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Raphael Wallfisch continues concerto cycle with Ben-Haim, Korngold, and Bloch
This installment of Raphael Wallfisch’s innovative series features three very different composers. “Cello Concertos by Jewish Composers in Exile” is in its fourth volume. All three composers were Jewish, and all were forced from their homes. But not every work on this album is a concerto (sort of). The outlier is Ernest Bloch, represented by […]
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Jana Semerádová in fine form with Richter and Stamitz
I think the title of this release is just a little misleading. “Franz Xaver Richter, Johann Stamitz: Flute Concertos & Trios” suggests (to me) an album of two composers in equal measure. Not so. This release has one flute concerto by Stamitz. The other five selections are all Richter. It’s still a program of six […]
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Ecco la Musica perform Johann Samuel Welter cantatas credibly
Johann Samuel Welter is the only name on the cover of this release. But he’s not the only composer features. The early music ensemble Ecco la Musica presents a varied program of music from 17th Century Germany. Five of Welter’s choral cantatas are interspersed with instrumental works, by some of Welter’s older contemporaries. Welter’s considered […]