When I reviewed volume one of this series, I said I was looking forward to the next release. Well, here it is and I’m not disappointed. Karl Goldmark was the master of the short symphonic poem. And though the works in this release may not be his most famous, they’re of near-equal quality. The Bamberger […]
Romantic period
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Weber Piano and Orchestral Music in Good Hands
In a way, I suppose, this release was the next logical step. Pianist Ronald Brautigam and the Kölner Akademie have already recorded the complete piano concertos of Mozart, Beethoven, and Mendelssohn. Presenting those of Carl Maria von Weber helps fill out that timeline. Von Weber was a younger contemporary of Ludwig van Beethoven, and his music […]
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Michal Bergson Piano Concerto revived
Michal Bergson’s piano concerto receives its world recording premiere — thanks to a chance discovery. Polish composer and pianist Michal Bergson (1820-1898) spent most of his life abroad, retiring to England. The manuscript for this 1868 concerto was recently discovered in a London antiquarian bookstore. Little is known of the circumstances surrounding the composition, save […]
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Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis Orchestral Works in Fresh Performances
Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis was a star that burned brightly, yet briefly. This Lithuanian composed almost 400 works, painted over 300 pictures and died at the age of 35. Ciurlionis is considered one of the pioneers of abstract art and possibly had synesthesia. He’s certainly a pioneer of Lithuanian music. This recording features Ciurlionis’ complete surviving […]
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Friedrich Gernsheim Piano Music Volume 2 delivers
Jens Barnieck continues his survey of Friedrich Gernsheim’s piano music. This volume includes Gernsheim’s first piano sonata and several smaller works — all receive their world recording premieres with this release. Barnieck’s performances are just as satisfying as they were with volume one of this series. Gernsheim began composing around the time of Mendelssohn and […]
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Carl Reinecke – Orchestral Works show influences
Carl Reinecke studied with Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, and Franz Liszt. And those influences can be heard in various works. For his piano concertos, it’s Liszt. For his symphonies, it’s more Mendelssohn/Schumann. At least, that’s what I heard in this first installment of Reinecke’s orchestral works from CPO. It includes two of Reinecke’s symphonies, plus […]
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Auber Overtures 3 — keeps getting better
Maestro Dario Salvi leads a different ensemble for this installment of Auber opera overtures. The Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra has a full, yet light sound that sometimes seems to sparkle. And that’s a sound well-suited to Auber’s music. And especially these overtures. Auber set the standard for French opera. His music is elegant, refined, and sparkling. […]
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Charles Villiers Stanford Quintets – Worth the Wait
This is a release I’ve been waiting for. The Dante Quartet’s traversal of Stanford’s string quartets was first-rate. I expected their recording of his quintets to be on the same level. It is. For the string quintets, members of the Dante and Endellion Quartets joined forces. Both of these UK-based ensembles thoroughly understand Stanford’s music. […]
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Hans Rott Symphony get fresh interpretation
Capriccio continues their series of Hans Rott recordings with his masterwork — Symphony No. 1. This massive work, running about 54 minutes, is this young genius at his best. Rott was just 22 when he completed his first symphony — and had just two years to live. The work shows the influence of his organ […]