Spohr: Music for Violin and Harp, Vol. 1

Louis Spohr (Composer), Sophie Langdon (Artist), Hugh Webb (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Louis Spohr
• Audio CD (July 17, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B00005JJ44
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,495 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Louis Spohr's prolific chamber music output includes numerous works for violin and harp, which were principally written for the violinist-composer to play with his harpist wife, Dorette Scheidler. Such a mellifluous instrumental combination could only inspire Spohr's melodic fluency and gift for felicitous textures. You can't help but delight in the B-flat Major Sonata's bubbly Rondo, in which the violin's lyrical lines are gently engulfed by the harp's rippling commentaries. Listen, for instance, to the exquisite give and take as the harp and violin trade motifs throughout the large-scaled D Major Sonata Concertante. Each of the C Minor sonata's two movements begins with an introduction that gives little indication of what's to emerge. The first movement intro, in fact, evokes more than just the spirit of Beethoven's Pathétique piano sonata in the same key. By contrast, the decorative passages in the E Minor Trio for Violin, Cello, and Harp foreshadow Chopin's bel-canto-influenced language. The basic sweetness of Sophie Langdon's well-focused tone is tinged with an attractive acerbic edge, not unlike a pinch of salt in the tequila. Susan Dorey's inflected phrasing helps move the Trio forward, and harpist Hugh Webb's effortless, feathery technique is all one can wish for in this irresistible music. With Naxos's crystalline sonics, thorough program notes, and enticing price, how can you possibly go wrong? Bring on volume 2, please! --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Positively Uplifting!, March 5, 2002

By 

Ralph Quirino (Keswick, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spohr: Music for Violin and Harp, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

I spent a long time trying to find recordings of Spohr's wonderful violin and harp duos. For ages I had a superb LP on Ex Libris by husband/wife team Alexandre and Francoise Stein (which is now out on CD via Doron) but I purchased this because it had twice as much music by Spohr on it that the Doron set. For people unfamiliar with this stuff, all they need to know is that these performances are sweetly idyllic, genuinely light and positively enjoyable. They glide on wings of melody while the performances are superb and enticing. All of this wrapped in a gorgeous recording. While Amazon doesn't list the price, no matter. I bought this at a local store (never expecting to find it) and it was budget priced there so I'm sure Amazon'll price it accordingly as well. Whatever you pay it'll be worth it! These performances are absolutely gorgeous.