Composer: Johannes Brahms, Clara Schumann
Performer: Joseph Swensen
Orchestra: Malmö Opera Orchestra
Conductor: Joseph Swensen
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Signum
Catalogue: SIGCD191
Release: 2012
Size: 647 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Brahms: Sinfonia in B (original 1854 version of Trio Op.8)
01. I. Allegro con moto
02. II. Allegro con moto
03. III. Adagio non troppo
04. IV. Finale: Allegro molto agitato
Schumann C: 3 Romances Op.22 for violin and orchestra (1853)
05. I. Andante molto
06. II. Allegretto – mit zartem Vortage
07. III. Leidenschaftlich schnell
08. Schumann R: Intermezzo from ‘F-A-E’ Sonata for violin and orchestra (1853)
09. Brahms: Scherzo from ‘F-A-E’ Sonata for violin and orchestra (1853)
‘Sinfonia in B’ is Joseph Swensen’s orchestration of the little-known original version of Brahms’ B major piano trio. In Swensen’s own words: “Completed in 1854, it is the largest and arguably the most important of Brahms’ published early works, yet it remains nearly unknown to most musicians and music-lovers alike … The original Opus 8 is, for me, intriguing for many reasons. Not only is it a work of extraordinary quality and emotional depth, written by a composer just 21 years of age, but it is a quintessential example of Brahms’ ultra-romantic and forward looking early style.”
This disc also explores the young Brahms’ connection with Robert and Clara Schumann, with orchestrations and performances (as a violin soloist) by Swensen of miniature works by both composers – as well as extracts from the ‘F-A-E’ sonata, a joint composition by Brahms, Robert Schumann and Joseph Joachim based on the motto ‘Frei aber einsam’ / ‘free but lonely’ – Joachim’s personal motto.