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 […]
Concerto
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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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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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CPO Revives Brahms Contemporary, Anton Urspruch
Anton Urspruch (1850-1907) is hardly a household name — even among classical music aficionados. In the 1880s, though, he was a rising star. Urspruch studied composition with Joachim Raff and Ignaz Lachner. He was a star piano pupil of Franz Liszt. As a scholar, he’s credited with the revival of Gregorian Chant. Urspruch enjoyed an […]
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Anton Eberl Emerges from the Shadow of Mozart
Pianist/composer Anton Eberl was a contemporary of Beethoven and a student of Mozart. Some of Eberl’s works were misattributed to Mozart, and that’s not surprising. As this new release shows, Eberl’s style is quite similar to Mozart’s. But not quite identical (a lot of the misattribution was done by unscrupulous publishers). The two sonatas for […]
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Viktor Ullman – A Voice That Won’t Be Silenced
Cappricio’s first Viktor Ullman release featured two symphonies, with the Gürzenich-Orchester and James Conlon. This time the focus is on Ullman’s piano music, ably played by Moritz Ernst. Ullman himself was an outstanding pianist. His writing for the instrument is in many ways, his most personal form of expression. Ullman’s Piano Concerto, Op. 25 was […]
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Molter Concertos for Natural Trumpets and Horns Present Challenges
Not everyone’s a fan of original instrumental performances. I am — especially when they’re done well. This release features Jean- François Madeuf performing Molter concertos with a natural trumpet and natural horn. And the results gave me a new appreciation for this under-appreciated composer. And real appreciation for Madeuf’s technical prowess. Modern trumpets and f horns […]
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Pugnani Violin Concertos As They Were Meant To Be Played
This recording is more remarkable then it appears at first hearing. Gaetano Pugnani was one of the most brilliant violinists of his age. At age ten he joined the Royal Chapel of Turin — as first violinist. And his career just kept getting better. As a virtuoso, he performed with the leading orchestras of […]