Composer: Karol Rathaus
Performer: Piotr Nowak, Damian Lipień, Paweł Cal, Aleksandra Hałat, Piotr Lato, Karol Rathaus Ensemble
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Dux
Catalogue: DUX1854
Release: 2022
Size: 292 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Eine kleine Serenade for Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet & Piano, Op. 23
01. I. Allegro
02. II. Intermezzo – Andante
03. III. Tema con variazioni
Pastorale & Danse for Violin & Piano, Op. 39
04. I. Pastorale
05. II. Danse
06. Song of the Autumn for Clarinet & Piano
English Songs for Voice & Piano, Op. 48
07. No. 1, Sweet Music
08. No. 2, As I Ride, as I Ride
09. No. 3, The Oblation
Moods After American Poets for Voice & Piano, Op. 57
10. No. 1, My Sweet Old Etcetera
11. No. 2, Frustration
12. No. 3, Indian Summer
13. No. 4, Conversation Galante
14. No. 5, Pretty Futility
Dedication and Allegro, Op. 64
15. I. Dedication
16. II. Allegro
17. Rapsodia notturna for Cello & Piano, Op. 66
This album will bring listeners closer to the music of a slightly forgotten Polish composer of Jewish origin, Karol Rathaus (18951954). Some of the featured compositions are world recording premieres. Found in the archives by enthusiasts, they restore the memory of the artist and, above all, of his music.
Rathaus’s activity coincided with the first, turbulent half of the 20th century a period of great stylistic changes. The composer absorbed all new trends while studying in Berlin, from where he was forced to flee in the 1930s due to the Nazi campaign. He was keen on creating chamber music, which can be found on the album, including Eine kleine Serenade, Op. 23 from 1927 for wind instruments, inspired by music from overseas; the piece has never been recorded so far. The works for violin and piano, Pastorale and Danse, Op. 39 and Dedication and Allegro ‘Hommage Chopin’, as well as one of the last compositions by Rathaus, which was already created in the United States, the expressive Rapsodia notturna, Op. 60 for cello and piano from 1950, stand out due to their beautiful sounds.
The compositions are performed by the Karol Rathaus Ensemble together with guest artists. The ensemble specializes in Rathaus’s oeuvre, thanks to which listeners can get to know this beautiful, although still little-known music.