New from cpo

[Alan Howe]

Two new recordings from cpo, available at the end of August, may be of interest to members and friends:

1.) Orchestral works (Visionen, Op.12; Legende für Orchester, Op.13 "Assisi") by the Germano-American composer, Hermann Hans Wetzler (1870-1943):
http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/SESSIONID/fb2168f227aec203db41480801eeeed3/cpo/detail/-/art/Hermann-Hans-Wetzler-Orchesterwerke/hnum/1018986
Of Wetzler, Grove online says:
<<Wetzler's compositions are rooted in the post-Romantic style; he was particularly influenced by Richard Strauss. His virtuoso treatment of the modern orchestra and preference for symphonic programme music are evident in the Symphonic Fantasy, Visionen, the Symphonie concertante for violin and orchestra, and the symphonic legend Assisi, which among 84 works submitted was awarded a prize of $1000 by the Chicago North Shore Festival Association. Although his chief work was operatic conducting, he wrote only one opera, Die baskische Venus. He also composed chamber music, songs and choruses.>>

2.) The Violin Concerto in G major, Op.52 (1912) by Weingartner:
http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/SESSIONID/fb2168f227aec203db41480801eeeed3/cpo/detail/-/art/Felix-Weingartner-Violinkonzert-G-Dur-op-52/hnum/6614805

[Mark Thomas]

I do find that many of cpo's late-romantic discoveries have little individual character and all merge into one after a while - a sort of "house style" that seems to be common amongst that generation of German composers. Still, gift horses and mouths; maybe Wetzler will be different.

Hope springs eternal, when it comes to Weingartner - I'm sure that the Schubert orchestration will be well done, though...