New release for February, 2008
CDS 1074-2 Paul Dukas (1865-1935): Symphony in C major; Goetz de Berlichingen, overture; Le Roi Lear, overture. Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen conducted by Fabrice Bollon.
Paul Dukas' oeuvre as a composer has always been very small, due to his (overly?) self-critical approach. The Symphony in C minor was a piece the composer cherished nonetheless. Here it is augmented by two great overtures he wrote in his student days, both modeled on examples from famous literature, by Goethe and Shakespeare. Both are world premiere recordings. This is a release that makes you regret that Dukas destroyed so many of his own works.
Upcoming release for March, 2008
CDS 1075-2 Joachim Raff (1822-1882): Violin Concerto No. 1; Suite for Violin and Orchestra; La Fée d'Amour. Tobias Ringborg, violin; Symphony Orchestra of Norrlands Opera conducted by Andrea Quinn.
The Swiss/German composer Joachim Raff has known a bit of a revival in the last few years, and these recordings of works for violin and orchestra amply demonstrate why. Raff's own version of his first violin concerto was only rediscovered a few years ago, and it receives its premiere on this CD. It is joined by the Konzerstück La Fée d'Amour and the Suite for Violin and Orchestra, based on baroque themes. Commendably played by Swedish virtuoso and Sterling veteran Tobias Ringborg and the Norrlands Opera Orchestra under Andrea Quinn.
Recent release (December, 2007)
CDS 1073-2 Franz Xaver Schnyder von Wartensee (1786-1868): Symphony No. 3, "Militärsinfonie"; Overture in C minor. Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen conducted by Christopher Fifield.
Schnyder von Wartensee was an early romantic, and a good friend of Beethoven. His music is typical early romantic - perhaps more like Haydn and Schubert than like Beethoven.
Some rather weird twists in the symphony makes one believe that there was perhaps stronger stuff than milk in that "suppe". Lovely, engaging performance typical of Fifield and the Württembergische Philharmonie.
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