Arranco de Varsóvia Rosalina

This second volume of the orchestral music of the Austro- American composer Richard Stöhr (1874–1967) reveals further marvels: the first of his two suites for string orchestra encases a moving slow movement between a charming prelude and an elegant fugue; and the four imposing spans of the expansive First Symphony offer grandeur and heartfelt profundity – as well as irresistibly catchy tunes that will set the foot tapping. Stöhr writes in a musical language somewhere between Bruckner, Mahler and his exact Viennese contemporary Franz Schmidt – but it is a voice increasingly readily recognised as his own.

Some people have a clear idea of the career they want even from early childhood. Others prefer to go with the flow, making the most out of the present, with very little projection into the future. This might be because their present is sufficiently rewarding and fulfills everything their soul longs for, or it might also be for fear of disappointment after devoting themselves to a single project, because it might narrow down their horizon… or both options as once, as it happens to be for Anna Agafia! Indeed, today she is a fully dedicated violinist; nevertheless, she could just as easily have been a professional ice-skater, an actress or a philosopher. However, life decided otherwise, and some doors were harshly shut. This is the story of a young artist, at ease with who she is, and invigorated by the awareness of her fragility.

I had never heard of Hérold before I came across this disc, but I'm sure glad I found him. I won't pretend these works are just as worthy as Beethoven or Mozart (I'm definitely not qualified to make such an assessment), but they are extremely enjoyable and deserve to be heard. The style is, as described on the back cover, somewhere between Mozart and the young Chopin (like Hummel maybe?). The works included are Piano Concertos Nos. 2-4; No. 1, according to the notes, is both a bit amateurish and almost impossible to read/reconstruct…….

Cory Nowosiadly @ Amazon.com