New release for December, 2009
CDS 1086-2 Ole Olsen (1850-1927) Asgaardsreien, Symphony in G, Suite for string orchestra. Latvian National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Terje Mikkelsen.
At the age of 29, in 1879 Ole Olsen went on his first international tour, conducting his music in Leipzig, Colone and Paris. The main work on this tour was Op.10 Asgaardsreien (The ride of Asgaard) which was wery well received. This encuraged him to extend...
New release for November, 2009
CDS 1085-2 Joachim Raff (1822-1882) Suite for Piano and Orchestra: Suite for Piano and Orchestra, Op.200; Die Eifersüchtigen – Overture; König Alfred – Overture; Dröschen – Vorspiel / Die Dornhecke; Samson – Vorspiel 3. akt. Tra Nguyen, piano and The Symphony Orchestra of Norrlands Opera conducted by Roland Kluttig.
By the time Joachim Raff began composing works for solo instruments and orchestra, he had been in Franz Liszt’s inner circle for several years as a full participants in the Weimar avant-garde.
New release for November, 2009
CDS 1084-2 Eyvind Alnæs (1872-1932): Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op 7; Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op 45. Latvian National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Terje Mikkelsen
Eyvind Alnæs' place in the history of Norwegian music has first and foremost been secured by his many beautiful songs. The two symphonies presented to a modern audience for the first time on this disc will compel us to re-evaluating our image of the composer
New release for October, 2009
CDS 1079-2 Ludwig Philipp Scharwenka (1847-1917), Wald- und Berggeister; Dramatische Phantasie; Zwei Polnische Volkstänze. Philharmonisches Orchester Altenburg-Gera by Eril Solén.
In modern reference works, Ludwig Philipp Scharwenka appears only as a sort of footnote: in description of the German musical scene and the conservatory situation in the second half of the 19th century, or when discussing his rather more famous brother Xaver. Nowadays Scharwenka is almost deleted from concert programs During the composers lifetime the situation was different. He and his younger brother were eminent figures in the musical landscape of the so-called imperial Germany. They exercised a determined influence on musical education of the period, their works were highly valued and performed by musicians of the highest calibre.
New release for August, 2009
CDS 1083-2 Zygmunt Noskowski (1846-1909), Symphony No. 1 in A major (1875); Morskie Oko (1875); Pan Zolzikiewicz overture (1888). National Polish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Slawek Wroblewski (Symphony), Gabriel Chmura (Morskie Oko), and Zygmunt Rychert (Overture).
This CD commemorates the fact that this great unknown romantic master died one hundred years ago. The Polish conductor, teacher and composer Noskowski was a leading figure in the impressive Polish music scene around 1900, working alongside such people as Paderewski, Scharwenka, and Moszkowski. These works show that also as a composer, he could measure up to his contemporaries!
New release for July, 2009
CDO 1082-2 Wilhelm Peterson-Berger (1867-1942), Arnljot - Excerpts. Erland Hagegård, Karin Langebo, Edith Thallaug, Björn Asker, Kåge Jehrlander; Male Chorus from the Stockholm Philharmonic Choir, Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Okko Kamu.
At last! The famous LP now transferred successfully to CD. All the important parts of the opera are included! This is a transfer from the historical performance in the Stockholm Concert Hall from 1973. The March to the Assembly Hall, the Greeting songs and the finales are highlights, and English text is provided for whoever feels inclined to sing along.
New release for June, 2009
CDS 1081-2 Robert Hermann (1869-1912): Symphonies Nos. 1 in C major (1895) and 2 in A minor (1905). Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen conducted by Christopher Fifield.Here is a completely individual Swiss romantic who also worked as a doctor. The music is on the verge of Romantic music. The first symphony is idyllic in character, while the second is much more dramatic with a beautiful crafted little scherzo. The first movement seems inspired of the Swiss cuckoo clock. This thematic idea runs through most of the symphony. Those who enjoy music by Butterworth and contemporary composers will enjoy this release.
New release for May, 2009
CDS 1080-2 Bernhard Crusell (1775-1838): Fantasy on Swedish National Melodies, Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): Septet in E Flat, Op. 20 (arr. Crusell). Ostgöta Blåsarsymfoniker conducted by Olof Boman.New release for March, 2009
CDS 1078-2 Richard Franck (1858-1938): Orchestral Works. Symphonic Fantasy, Serenade for Violin & Orchestra, Suite for Orchestra. Fabian Wettstein, Tim Ströble. Wurttembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen conducted by Christopher Fifield.
Prokofiev at one time described his classical symphony as written in the style as if Haydn would have survived into the 19th Century. If one could imagine Beethoven one hundred years adopting a fullblown romantic style -then you can imagine the music of Richard Franck. He was the son of another important composer: Eduard Franck (1817-1893). Richard's music is traditional in style, well-crafted and with memorable melodies. The Beethoven connection is very obvious in the first piece and very much in the Violin Serenade. The suite is a lighter piece blending lyrical ideas with a Hungarian tinge in the March. Liebesidylle and the Serenade and the cello piece are rather inward-looking pieces still very much in the great romantic style of Schumann and Mendelsohn.
New release for December, 2008
CDA 1668-2 Maria Verbaite, piano: Works by Schubert, Chopin, Liszt, Grieg, Rachmaninov and Balakirev
A new talent from Lithuania, who, despite her age, already shows remarkable maturity when dealing with these complicated scores. Particularly the Schubert will amaze you!
New release for October, 2008
CDS 1077-2 Friedrich von Flotow (1812-1883): Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Wilhelm von Oranien in Whitehall, incidental music; Jubel Overture. Carl Petersson, piano; Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Hans Peter Wiesheu
An entirely new perspective on Friedrich von Flotow's compositions. This composer is best known on account of his opera Martha. Here we find newly discovered concertos, which must be considered as sensational. The first is brilliant and melodic, the second is probably influenced by Carl Maria von Weber's concertos. The Wilhelm von Oranien-suite is most charming, with Thomas Arne's Rule Britannia as one of the movements.
© 2007 Sterling, Stockholm, Sweden