The title of this release is officially “Five String Quartets.” But it actually has six, as the fourth quartet is essentially a reworking of the second. Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek’s quartets have a complex history. It may hinder musicologists’ work with Reznick’s catalog. But it needn’t detract from enjoying these works. Reznicek continued to write […]
Romantic period
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Joseph Mayseder Mass ideal for choirs
Gramola has released several recordings of Joseph Mayseder’s music. And I’m glad they did. Mayseder was a younger contemporary of Felix Mendelssohn, whose style his music most reminds me of. Mayseder was the solo violinist at the Vienna Court Opera and the kapellmeister for the Hofburg Palace chapel. It was there that he wrote is […]
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Han Rott Orchestral Works Vol. 1 – Potential realized
When Hans Rott died at age 25, the musical world, in general, didn’t notice. But his colleagues were devastated. They included Anton Bruckner (Rott’s organ teacher), and fellow classmates Gustav Mahler and Hugo Wolf. Mahler wrote, ” What music has lost in him cannot be estimated. Such is the height to which his genius soars […]
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Emil Hartmann Chamber Music – Worth Exploring
In the liner notes violinist, Elisabeth Zeuthen Schneider writes that Emil Hartmann was influenced by Felix Mendelssohn and Robert Schumann. “With Hartmann, this influence is enhanced by his simplicity and sincerity.” As I listened to this collection of Hartmann chamber works, I had to agree. The melodies were similar to Mendelssohn’s, especially in their general […]
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Trio Fontaine Excel with Swiss Piano Trios
This release features piano trios by two Swiss composers: Hermann Goetz and Hans Huber. And they’re performed by a Swiss ensemble, the Trio Fontaine. Hans Huber is an important figure in Swiss music. He wrote eight symphonies, six concertos, six operates, and a variety of other works. Huber was a late-Romantic composer, with a style […]
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Joseph Mayseder chamber music channels Schubert
Joseph Mayseder was a violin virtuoso active in the mid-1800s. He was a torchbearer at Beethoven’s funeral and concertmaster of the Vienna Court Opera. He performed (and composed) chamber music extensively. This release represents some of his efforts. It includes two of his seven piano trios, and one of his two numbered violin sonatas. Overall, […]
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Zdenek Fibich orchestral series ends in fine form
This is the final volume in Naxos’ series of Zdenek Fibich orchestral works. It includes the last of his three symphonies, as well as orchestral music from three of his operas. Fibich completed his third symphony in 1898, just two years before his death. The work is ambitious, with a “darkness-to-light” premise that keeps the […]
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Agnes Zimmermann — another find from Toccata Classics
Labels matter. I’ve learned to trust the record label Toccata Classics. They often release music by composers I’ve never heard of (and that’s saying something). But it’s always been music I’ve found worth exploring. So when I saw this release of Agnes Zimmermann’s violin sonatas, I knew I had to audition it. Agnes Zimmermann was […]
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Second volume of Auber opera overtures distinct improvement
Volume two of Daniel-François-Esprit Auber overtures builds on the strengths of the first. As before, maestro Dario Salvi and the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice present several world premiere recordings — including a violin concerto. While I enjoyed the performances of the ensemble in volume one, I had some complaints about the quality of the […]