Mozart Kraus

From the notes:"The simplicity of phrasing, the natural, unforced elegance and the wonderful fluency of her playing have become emblematic of an art which effortlessly conjured up poetry. And it was Schubert, together with Mozart, who was the obsession of her musical life" Notes by Jean-Charles Hoffelé

Joseph Martin Kraus was born in the same year as Mozart and died only one year after him; like him, he was also a musician who revealed his extraordinary talent at an early age. It is only in recent years, however, that Kraus has again begun to receive somewhat more attention as a multitalented artistic personality. Born in Miltenberg am Main, Kraus enjoyed a career that took him to Stockholm as court music director to the music-loving King Gustavus III. In their originality his sacred compositions tower above the conventional liturgical repertoire produced in Southern Germany during the second half of the eighteenth century.

This new release features the first-ever commercial recording of three newly discovered viola concertos by German-born Swedish composer Joseph Martin Kraus. Joseph Martin Kraus was one of the most innovative composers of his time. With Mozart, he was described by Haydn as one of only two geniuses he knew. Recipient of the 2011 Leonard Bernstein Award and of the 2010 Avery Fisher Career Grant, David Aaron Carpenter has emerged as one of the world's most promising young artists. The Philadelphia Inquirer describes him as being “in a league with the best.”

Joseph Martin Kraus was one of the most talented and progressive composers of the 18th century, and regarded by Haydn as one of the only two geniuses he knew, alongside Mozart. Following the successful audition of his opera Proserpin, Kraus became closely associated with the court of Gustav III in Stockholm. The highly dramatic Begrafnings-kantat overture was the composer’s emotional response to the assassination of his sovereign. The vocal pieces include works performed for the first time in over two centuries, ranging from Italian concert arias to rare survivals from the Royal Dramatic Theatre.

Joseph Martin Kraus was one of the most talented and progressive composers of the 18th century, and regarded by Haydn as one of the only two geniuses he knew, alongside Mozart. Following the successful audition of his opera Proserpin, Kraus became closely associated with the court of Gustav III in Stockholm. The highly dramatic Begrafnings-kantat overture was the composer’s emotional response to the assassination of his sovereign. The vocal pieces include works performed for the first time in over two centuries, ranging from Italian concert arias to rare survivals from the Royal Dramatic Theatre.

An almost exact contemporary of Mozart and similarly admired by Haydn, Germanborn Joseph Martin Kraus spent most of his short career in Stockholm at the court of Gustav III. Since the court’s musical taste inclined towards the theatre, Kraus had little opportunity to concentrate on chamber works, but he did produce several string quartets as well as these surviving sonatas for violin and keyboard.

Joseph Martin Kraus (1756-1792) is often referred to as the Swedish Mozart by popular literature. His style was influenced by the Sturm und Drang movement that he got acquainted with in his early years; the dramatic contrast and passion characterising his music can be attributed to this inspiration. Although he is considered to be a composer of stage music, he also composed a large number of instrumental pieces especially for orchestra and chamber orchestra.