Stöhr, Richard (1874 - 1967) Symphony No.1, Op.18 (1909)

[John Boyer]

The Suite is, for want of a more precise description, lovely. Both suites, the Kammersymphonie, and the Piano Concerto show (to me, at least) that these pieces for a smaller ensemble were what Stöhr excelled at. They are somewhat reminiscent of Reznicek's later suites and his G major serenade.

I could not resist, and so tore open the shrink-wrap and gave the disc a spin. My goodness, another winner! The suite just oozes charm and grace, while the symphony is a real find. I think it blows the doors off Georg Schumann.  I even like the "Chasseur Maudit"-like ending.