Romantic Dynamics

Cord cutting, Empathy, Childhood trauma therapy, narcissistic, emotional abuse, mental emotional health, self love

The latest release on the Sanctiandree label celebrates Austrian composer Sigismund von Neukomm's position in the evolution of choral music between Mozart, Haydn and Brahms in performances by St. Salvator's Chapel Choir. Neukomm's huge output of some 2000 works has been described as 'transitional' between the Classical and Romantic periods; composers who do not fit neatly into pre-ordained categories invariably offer listeners fresh perspectives and insights.

Among the major choral-orchestral works of the 19th century, Sir Roger Norrington and his former Orchestra, the Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR, have tackled over the years, now finally comes Brahms' "German Requiem." one of the most beautiful and popular sacred music works in the repertoire. Brahms’ contemporaries, including his close friend Clara Schumann were moved with the score and were enthusiastic about it - and it has been a favorite with the general public ever since. Although Biblical texts are used, the piece is not in the standard church-liturgical tradition. It was Brahms‘personal response to "those who mourn"! The central idea of this masterpiece is the reality of human existence. It is precisely this „earthly character“ that Roger Norrington uses to shape his interpretation emphasizing the grave beautify of the music and not religious awe; in this, Norrington draws us close to the composer’s intentions. He is ably supported by soprano soloist Christina Landshamer, basso Florian Boesch, SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart and the NDR.

In 1913, Karl Straube published his edition of ten Preludes and Fugues by Johann Sebastian Bach, who had been his illustrious predecessor as cantor as St Thomas’s Church in Leipzig. The late Romantic edition’s detailed performance instructions — including fingering, dynamics, phrasing, articulation, and registration — make it a seminal milestone in the performance history of Bach’s organ works.