Let’s be clear: the wind ensemble of Telemann’s time was vastly different than the ones we have today. Clarinets, metal flutes, valved brass instruments, and percussion were later additions to the ensemble. The lineup of L’Orfeo Bläserensemble is one Telemann was familiar with: two oboe d’amore, two F horns, and bassoon. Lute and cembalo provide […]
CPO
-
-
Karl Goldmark Symphonic Poems, Vol. 1 – Off to a good start
Before I received this release, I really only knew two works by Karl Goldmark – his Rustic Wedding Symphony, and his First Violin Concerto. CPO’s new series of Goldmark Symphonic Poems is a welcome addition. Goldmark was a friend of Brahms and an admirer of Wagner. Both those influences can be heard in this collection […]
-
Tatjana Ruhland performs Müller Flute Concertos beautifully
Today, August Eberhard Müller is mostly forgotten. Yet at the turn of the 19th Century, he was one of the most important musical figures in Germany. As cantor of Thomaskirche, Leipzig, he performed cantatas by its most famous cantor, J. S. Bach. He was first chair flute of the Gewandhaus Orchestra, as well as a […]
-
Friedrich Benda Viola Concertos Delightful Discoveries
Friedrich Benda came from a distinguished musical family and was a noted violinist and violist. So it’s not surprising that his viola concertos are well-crafted examples of Classical Period form. In general form, these works reminded me of Haydn’s string concertos. They have a similar air of elegance about them. Bernard Labadie is renowned for […]
-
Christoph Graupner Solo and Dialogue Cantatas Surprisingly Light and Airy
CPO continues their exploration of Christoph Graupner’s catalog with a selection of his solo and dialogue cantatas. There’s a lot to choose from. This set includes five of his 177 surviving sacred cantatas. They span a decade, from 1709 to 1719. Yet all five cantatas are surprisingly consistent in style. In these works, the music […]
-
Fresh Batch of Papandopulo Concertos Most Welcome
Every work I’ve heard by Boris Papandopulo is an absolute gem. And, apparently, just as rare. The liner notes have this rather cryptic sentence: “Owing to the still limited access to his musical estate, a comprehensive, meaningful, and synoptic assessment of Papandopulo’s oeuvre remains impossible.” Boris Papandopulo, a legend in his native Croatia, wrote prolifically […]
-
Johann Brandl Symphonies — Music in Transition
Although mostly unknown today, Johann Evangelist Brandl was a well-respected composer and violinist at the turn of the 19th Century. His Op. 17 string quartets were dedicated to Haydn. In his later years, he was first violinist of the ducal orchestra in Karlsruhe. He eventually became the orchestra’s music director, working under kapellmeister Franz Danzi. […]
-
Tor Aulin Violin Concertos – Swedish Masterworks
Tor Aulin was best known as a violinist. He toured for 20 years with his own string quartet, and later served as concertmaster of the Swedish Royal Opera Orchestra. During his touring years, Aulin composed his three violin concertos. Aulin often performed with his fellow countryman, Wilhelm Stenhammar. Like his colleague, Aulin wrote in a […]
-
Gernsheim Complete Cello Sonatas – Three Views of a Life
Friedrich Gernsheim was an important composer, conductor, and concert pianist at the end of the 19th Century. He was a close friend of Brahms, and his style somewhat similar. Like Brahms, Gernsheim wrote in “pure” music that eschewed extramusical inspiration. This release features Gernshiem’s three cello sonatas, as well as two other works for cello […]