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 […]
Romantic period
-
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 dazzling. […]
-
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. […]
-
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 […]
-
Mariani Klavierquartett excels with Emilie Mayer works
The Mariani Klavierquartett has only been around since 2009, but they’ve already accumulated an impressive body of work. This is their fifth release, and it’s a winner all the way around. Emilie Mayer (1812-1883) was a well-respected composer in her lifetime. Her music was frequently performed, and she was the Associate Director of the Opera […]
-
Moritz Moszkowski series continues with sweet orchestral suites
This installment of Moritz Moszkowski orchestral music features two of his three orchestral suites. Ian Hobson and the Sinfonia Varsovia deliver sympathetic performances. The strings especially seem to exude the Romantic gooeyness of Moskowski’s style. The ensemble is well-recorded. The sound has a little bit of soft focus, but all the music details can be […]
-
Emil von Reznicek String Quartets late-Viennese Gems
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 […]