Unsung Composers

The Music => Recordings & Broadcasts => Topic started by: Alan Howe on Friday 26 July 2019, 14:46

Title: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Alan Howe on Friday 26 July 2019, 14:46
...forthcoming from Ars, with the Sinfonieorchester Liechtenstein, conducted by Florian Krumpöck:
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/sinfon-tongemaelde-in-d-moll-op-10-wallenstein/hnum/9382038 (https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/sinfon-tongemaelde-in-d-moll-op-10-wallenstein/hnum/9382038)
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Alan Howe on Friday 26 July 2019, 14:49
This performance can be enjoyed on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hnIscAao_I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hnIscAao_I)
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Alan Howe on Wednesday 04 September 2019, 22:55
If anyone is wondering, the new recording features a more thrusting, exciting performance than the one on Signum/Christphorus, coming in at around 5 minutes shorter than its predecessor. I think it makes a much better case for the piece. Well worth purchasing, in other words.
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Justin on Thursday 05 September 2019, 00:29
It is certainly more enchanting in the second movement, from what I hear in the sample.

Do you think it is likely that it will be available for digital download?
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 05 September 2019, 09:22
No sign so far, I'm afraid.
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Mark Thomas on Thursday 05 September 2019, 11:51
QuoteI think it makes a much better case for the piece.
I haven't listened to Wallenstein for years, but I've always found it a disappointingly uninvolving and academic work. Judging by the video on YouTube, Florian Krumpöck's performance is certainly a substantial improvement on Athinäos' on the old Signum recording, but I'm afraid that it still fails to convince me of the symphony's worth. Rheinberger was a fine composer, but this is not his best work and there are many better unsung 19th century symphonies than this one.     
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 05 September 2019, 15:19
I don't often disagree with Mark T., but this is one occasion when I do - and it's all down to the marvellous new recording on Ars, which is akin to encountering, say, Stadlmair in Raff after so many lumpy performances. The piece just glows under Krumpöck's direction - and all the dynamism missing from the Athinäos is there as never before. I'd never rated Wallenstein before - but I do now...
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Mark Thomas on Thursday 05 September 2019, 18:25
Wouldn't like people to think we agree on everything ;). I think the performance itself is praiseworthy, but I just don't rate that highly the material with which Krumpöck is working.
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 05 September 2019, 21:58
Great to disagree, isn't it? I've learned a lot that way...
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Alan Howe on Monday 09 September 2019, 22:29
Here's the CD:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8672486--rheinberger-symphony-in-d-minor-op-10-wallenstein (https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8672486--rheinberger-symphony-in-d-minor-op-10-wallenstein)

(https://d27t0qkxhe4r68.cloudfront.net/images/records/arsproduktionars38284.jpg?1567612563)
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Alan Howe on Wednesday 11 September 2019, 17:08
This has been on repeat listening for the past week or so. The new recording absolutely transforms the piece from something rather dutiful to an incident-packed ride. Wonderful. Don't be satisfied with the old Signum/Christphorus recording; this is so much better because the conductor evidently believes in every bar!
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: der79sebas on Thursday 12 September 2019, 07:21
I have the new CD only since yesterday and I totally agree!
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 12 September 2019, 08:14
Oh, good! Glad it's not just me!
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Alan Howe on Friday 13 September 2019, 18:52
Here's an appreciative review in both German and English:
https://www.pizzicato.lu/home-made-rheinberger/ (https://www.pizzicato.lu/home-made-rheinberger/)
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Alan Howe on Wednesday 30 December 2020, 13:26
Please don't pay attention to David Hurwitz's opinion of this lovely work in his review of Moszkowski's Johanna d'Arc. Frankly, he doesn't know what he's talking about. Anyone who enjoys the Moszkowski ought to respond to the Rheinberger.
   And please, if your experience of Rheinberger's fine symphony is based on the Signum/Christophorus recording, do have a listen to the vastly superior and more exciting recording conducted by Florian Krumpöck on Ars. It's been a game-changer for me since I first heard it.
   
NB Download now available from Presto:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8672486--rheinberger-symphony-in-d-minor-op-10-wallenstein
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Gareth Vaughan on Wednesday 30 December 2020, 19:05
I have now had an opportunity to listen to both of the available recordings of this work, and I find it really does not merit Dave Hurwitz's dismissive comments, though if he knew only the lacklustre performance on Christophorus/Signum under Nikos Athineos there is some justification for his being underwhelmed. How very much the work comes alive under Florian Krumpock's baton; it makes a significant difference. I shall listen again to this recording.
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Mark Thomas on Wednesday 30 December 2020, 19:10
I really must rouse myself and get Krumpock's recording. It clearly breaths life into a work I've always regarded (from Athanaos' rendition) as dull and uninspired.
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Alan Howe on Wednesday 30 December 2020, 23:18
To misquote a phrase - When he's good, he's very, very good, but when he's bad, he's horrid...
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Mark Thomas on Thursday 31 December 2020, 07:53
To be fair to the chap, he may well only know the Wallenstein from the Athinaos recording, as I do, and in that it's a pallid, uninspiring thing.
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 31 December 2020, 09:20
On the other hand, he's a professional critic and ought to have had the curiosity to investigate the newer recording.
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Mark Thomas on Thursday 31 December 2020, 12:14
Hmm. Anyway, I do agree with you that Krumpock makes a much more convincing case for Wallenstein than does Athinaos.
Title: Re: Rheinberger Wallenstein
Post by: Alan Howe on Thursday 31 December 2020, 12:43
If he has room for another CD in his overflow room...