Composer: Richard Stöhr
Performer: Ulrike-Anima Mathé, Scott Faigen
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Toccata
Catalogue: TOCC0461
Release: 2018
Size: 967 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Op. 27
01. I. Allegro moderato
02. II. Andante religioso – Andantino lusingando
03. III. Finale: Allegro giusto
Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 62
04. I. Allegro
05. II. Intermezzo: Andante sostenuto
06. III. Finale: Allegro risoluto
The piano music of the Czech-born composer Antoine Reicha (1770–1836) – friend of Haydn and Beethoven, teacher of Berlioz, Liszt, Franck and many others – is one of the best-kept secrets in music. Reicha was an important influence on composers of the next generation but, apart from an innovative set of fugues, his piano works have remained almost unknown since his own day. Encompassing Baroque practices as well as looking forward to the twentieth century, they are full of harmonic and other surprises that show this liveliest of musical minds at work. Reicha’s twenty Études ou Exercices, recorded here for the first time, manage to combine his maverick inventiveness with a considerable degree of charm.