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 […]
Orchestral music
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Havergal Brian Symphonic Series Finishes in Fine Style
The sales sheet for this release notes that “This issue completes the commercial recording of all 32 of Brian’s symphonies.” Well, that may be true, but it’s a little confusing. First, not all the symphonies have been recorded by Naxos/Marco Polo. Although with 17 of Brian’s 32 symphonies in their catalog, Naxos has definitely recorded […]
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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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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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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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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 […]
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Solistes Européens Debut with Farrenc
Louise Farrenc was a major figure of French music. She was both a pianist and composer and served on the faculty of the Paris Conservatory for over 30 years. During her lifetime, and for a while afterward, her chamber music was regularly performed. Not so her symphonies. Beyond their debuts, each had only one or […]