cpo are soon to release a CD of violin concertos by Julius Röntgen (A minor, 1902; D major, 1925/6; F#minor, 1931) played by Liza Ferschtman with the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz under David Porcelijn.
Great news Alan! To be released at the end of March?
But I really do wonder what happened to the cpo-release of the same composer's Piano Concertos nos. 2 & 4?
Morten
I hope by the way that the two violin concertos listed in a Rontgen worklist but now apparently missing, will turn up. Even though I know no more about them (and haven't yet heard the one violin concerto that has been recorded. Seems to do well with his 3 cello concertos, though!). Concertzender (once of Hilversum) broadcast a lot of Rontgen some years back (still available online in their webstreaming archive, I think, making a good introduction to his music) and I liked what I heard!
The two early VCs are lost - period.
As for cpo's release dates, 'soon' could mean virtually anything...
Quote from: Alan Howe on Saturday 26 February 2011, 17:59
As for cpo's release dates, 'soon' could mean virtually anything...
So very true.. Still I have expectations this disc will be released in my lifetime!
Morten
It's out in Germany on 21st March, although it doesn't contain the D major concerto...
http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/cpo/detail/-/art/Julius-R%F6ntgen-Violinkonzerte-a-moll-fis-moll/hnum/1031859 (http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/cpo/detail/-/art/Julius-R%F6ntgen-Violinkonzerte-a-moll-fis-moll/hnum/1031859)
Excerpts are now available...
http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/cpo/detail/-/art/Julius-R%F6ntgen-Violinkonzerte-a-moll-fis-moll/hnum/1031859 (http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/cpo/detail/-/art/Julius-R%F6ntgen-Violinkonzerte-a-moll-fis-moll/hnum/1031859)
The A minor VC in this recording is certainly superior to that by Ragin on Centaur. The biggest difference is the much more spacious reading of the slow movement on cpo; however, the orchestral playing is also more dynamic (Porcelijn clearly knows his Röntgen) and so the overall effect is of a bigger, grander piece. Wonderful. Now to listen to the other works on the CD...
What a delicious, utterly lyrical VC's. Gorgeous, beautifully developed themes, very well-crafted orchestration. The slow movement, lento, of the A minor concerto (No. 1) is ever so moving. But I can say the same thing of the 2nd movement, andante tranquillo, of the F sharp minor concerto (No. 3). What a composer Röntgen is! The Ballad for Violin and Orchestra is a wonderful piece of music as well. Purely listening pleasure, although the main theme is a bit triste, but so beautiful (almost a tearjerker).
I cannot imagine a member who will not been captivated by this very romantic music. And a compliment to violinist Liza Ferschtman. She knows how to touch a sensitive chord, so to speak. This whole CD is a winner, IMHO absolutely a must-buy. You won't be disappointed!
I was going to write pretty much the same thing, so I'm grateful for being saved the trouble. Each of these works is a real treat - amongst the best Röntgen I've heard.
The F#minor VC is a lovely work too - with a faintly 'Romantic neo-classical' feel to the finale in particular, but it's the slow movement that's the gem here. A breathtakingly beautiful Andante tranquillo. Sorry guys, this is a must-buy!
You'd better be sorry! I feel the compulsion taking over...see what you've done!?
I'd modify Alan's advice: anything by Rontgen is a must buy. As far as I'm aware (nominations invited!) he never wrote a dud!
Hi all
Have just spent a couple of hours listening again to this delightful CPO disc. The music is indeed truly wonderful and the VCs get my highest praise. Both the concertos are lovely but I have a slight preference for the F sharp minor. The Andante tranquillo is, as Alan describes it, breathtakingly beautiful but I also hugely enjoy its joyous Finale, lasting just a mere 4'22 but great fun. As Peter said, the Ballad is lovely too but rather melancholic, especially in the outer segments. Very beautiful all the same. This is definitely a must buy cd, especially if you love Röntgen, as I do.
cheers
Dennis
Finally got this from CD Universe. Look forward to it tremendously. Looks like it only took a couple of months for them to pick it up after it was released. BTW, the D Major work appears to be titled "Ballade" rather than "Concerto".
Let me begin by admitting that I am not a Rontgen fan :-[
I have all four of the CPO cds with Rontgen symphonies on them, the cd of 'Aus Goethes Faust' and the Etcetera cd of the three cello concertos but that is just an indication of symphonic 'completism' ;D
Rontgen's romanticism is not greatly to my taste and I must confess that CPO's dedication to recording Rontgen annoyed me when there are other composers(Dutch and from other countries) who I thought deserved preference.
BUT I shall happily concede that the violin works on this cd are utterly delightful and captivating :)
I still prefer more 'grit' in my music but these three pieces are among the very best romantic violin concertos I have heard outside of the great masters :)