At one time, Albert Lortzing was one of the most-performed opera composers in Germany. His light-hearted Spieloper (light opera) scores were standard fare in the 19th Century. Lortzing’s style bridges the gap between Carl Maria von Weber and Franz von Suppé. These overtures have the clarity of Weber’s writing and the bustling energy of von Suppé. These […]
Romantic period
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Joseph Marx Nature Trilogy a Welcome Reissue
It’s nice to see this Joseph Marx recording back in print. It was originally released by Avie in 2003. Marx actively opposed Schoenberg and his followers. He very strongly believed in the power of tonal music. Marx was a major figure in Vienna, and his music was frequently performed. After World War II, his compositions […]
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Trio Vitruvi Joyfully Perform Schubert Trios
A long journey can seem shorter if it’s done with people you enjoy. Schubert’s Piano Trio in E-flat major, D.929 is such a journey. And it was one made all the better with the Trio Vitruvi. This release is the trio’s debut recording. And it’s a well-chosen one. The youthful Trio Vitruvi approach Schubert’s 50-minute […]
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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 […]
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Nowowiejski Symphonic Works – Important addition to Polish music
This recording grew out of a project by the Opole Philharmonic Foundation. “Nowowiejski Decoded” involved editing, publishing — and then recording the orchestral music of this seminal Polish composer. Feliks Nowowiejski was a major musical figure of early 20th Century Poland. Nowowiejski won many composition prizes and was frequently performed in Germany as well as […]
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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 […]
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Max Bruch Music for Clarinet and Viola – Late Romantic Goodness
Like his friend and colleague Johannes Brahms, Max Bruch didn’t write for the clarinet until late in his career. For Bruch, it was something personal. His son was an accomplished clarinetist and premiered the works on this release. Although written in the early 1910s, these works are unapologetically Romantic in style. But there’s nothing nostalgic […]
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Arnold Mendelssohn Piano Works – Inspired by Brahms
Arnold Mendelssohn is just beginning to be rediscovered. Recordings such as this will help immensely. Mendelssohn was the great nephew of Felix and rose to prominence at the turn of the 20th Century. He was an accomplished organist and held several Protestant church positions. He was a colleague of Hugo Wolf and counted Paul Hindemith […]
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Emilie Mayer – A Composer Worth Knowing
If you’re not familiar with Emilie Luise Friderica Mayer, this release provides an excellent introduction. Mayer studied composition with Carl Loewe in the 1840s. Mayer was prolific, and her works were often performed in her lifetime. After her death, Mayer’s music fell into obscurity. A renewed interest in women composers of the past has brought […]