In early 20th Century music history, she was Mrs. Robert Schumann, wife of a Great Composer. Later histories noted her prodigious talent as a pianist. As the century progressed, Clara’s own compositions were re-evaluated, performed, and recorded. This release adds to our understanding of Clara Wieck Schumann — both as a performer and a composer. […]
Romantic period
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Romantic Piano Fantasies — entertaining if not elevating
In the early 1800s, Sir Walter Scott was a wildly popular writer. As wildly popular as J.K. Rowling would be in the early 2000s. His “Waverly” series started a new genre, historical fiction. Scott would write between 30-48 novels set in historic Scotland, all best-sellers. Carl Czerny published a series of four piano duets inspired […]
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Rheinberger’s Der Stern von Bethlehem shines in reissue
Why isn’t “Der Stern von Bethlehem” a holiday staple, like that Handel joint? I have a theory. Joseph Rheinberger composed his cantata in 1890. During his lifetime it was one of his most-performed choral works. After his death in 1901, though, it lapsed into obscurity. Rheinberger’s style was influenced by the German greats: Brahms, Mendelssohn, […]
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Franz Lachner well served by Evergreen Symphony Orchestra
The Evergreen Symphony Orchestra (ESO) is a 70-piece Taiwanese ensemble. They’ve recorded eight albums for the CPO label. Although “evergreen” is in their name, none of the music they record would earn that title. But that’s not due to the quality of the music, just the stature of the composers. Franz Lachner was a respected […]
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Laura Netzel Chamber Portrait worth admiring
Laura Netzel is one of those composers who should be better known. And that’s what the artists on this release hope to do. Netzel (1839-1927) was from Finland, but her family moved to Sweden when she was an infant. Netzel showed musical talent early on. She studied voice, piano, and composition (the latter with Charles-Marie […]
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Louise Farrenc violin and piano music has timeless appeal
This release presents three chamber works by Louise Farrenc. Farrenc was renowned as a pianist as well as a composer. These selections show her skill at writing for violin. Daniele Orlando and Linda Di Carlo deliver wonderfully expressive performances. Farrenc had a rare melodic gift, and Orlando’s violin practically sings them. Farrenc was also a […]
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Witold Maliszewski Symphonies — Treasures from Two Nations
I think Witold Maliszewski qualifies as a national musical treasure for not one, but two countries. He made enormous contributions to both Poland and Russia. Not just as a composer, but also as a teacher, conductor, and administrator. It’s a remarkable tale. As a youngster in Poland, Maliszewski studied with Russian composer Mikhail Ipplitov-Ivanov. He […]
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Charles Villiers Stanford Piano Quintet Pure Romantic Goodness
Charles Villiers Stanford and Charles Hubert Parry share the honor of leading the Second English Renaissance. That was the term given to the resurgence of British classical music in the late 19th Century. Or rather, the resurgence of that music beyond the confines of the British Isles. Stanford was an admirer of Brahms. That admiration […]
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Anton Arensky – Egyptian Nights suitably exotic
This recording of Anton Arensky’s ballet suite was originally released on Marco Polo in 1996. I’m glad to see it back in print. Arensky may not be a great composer (Rimsky-Korsakov didn’t think so), but he’s a very good one. And there’s a lot to like in this work. The ballet, which premiered in 1900, […]