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, […]
Romantic period
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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, […]
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Władysław Żeleński Chamber Music – True Polish Treasures
Władysław Żeleński is one of those composers who are musical giants within their own country but are barely known outside it. In 1887 Żeleński founded the Conservatory of Music in Cracow. As its director, he helped shape the face of Polish classical music in the early 20th Century. As a composer, he was a craftsman […]
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Ian Hobson launches new Moritz Moszkowski series
And so Toccata Classics launches yet another series I’ll be following closely. Moritz Moszkowski was a household name at the turn of the 20th Century. Both as a pianist and a composer of piano music he was in demand. By 1910, ill-health had ended his concert career and he — and his music — was […]