Schmidt, Franz (1874-1939) - A Hussar’s Song Variations, Chaconneetc, Fantasia : Rumpf / Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic, Stancul(P) - Import CD

Credits:

Mstislav Rostropovitsch

Description:

Today, most people associate Franz Schmidt (1874-1939) with the oratorio "The Book of the Seven Seals," composed in 1937 and filled with an atmosphere of disquiet that suggests the start of World War II, and written with the intention of culminating his own compositional activities. It is said to be the culmination of his compositional activities. This album contains two of Schmidt's works from the early 1930s and the world premiere recording of his "Fantasy" for piano and orchestra. The "Variations on a Light Horseman's Song," with its delightful light-hearted theme that appears after a melancholy introduction, was premiered by Clemens Krauss in 1931, and has been performed repeatedly by Bruno Walter and other great conductors since then. The Chaconne, originally for organ, was orchestrated and premiered by Clemens Krauss in the same year as the Light Horseman. The most notable work on this album, "Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra," was written when Schmidt was 25 years old, and the material from this piece was used directly in the "Interlude" and "Carnival Music" from the opera "Notre Dame," one of his most famous works.The work was never published and was forgotten until November 2013, when it was finally premiered by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra conducted by Fabio Luisi and pianist Yasminka Stancur (Fabio Luisi, piano). The clear and gentle tune, with gorgeous piano passages, has a romanticism that is distinctly different from Schmidt's later serious style, and leaves a strong impression on the listener. Naxos Japan

Tracklisting:

1.Variations on a Hussar's Song: Introduction
2.Variations on a Hussar's Song: Theme and Variations Nos. 1-5
3.Variations on a Hussar's Song: Lento
4.Variations on a Hussar's Song: Variations Nos. 6-10
5.Variations on a Hussar's Song: Variations Nos. 11-12
6.Variations on a Hussar's Song: Variations Nos. 13-15, Coda
7.Fantasia for piano and orchestra in B flat major
8.Chaconne for orchestra in D minor

Schmidt Collection List