Symphonies 1-4 [Import]

Gernsheim (Artist), Kohler (Artist), Staatsphil Rheinland-Pfalz (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 29, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Arte Nova Classics
• ASIN: B000023ZLY
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #674,528 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Symphony No. 1 in G minor ('Seiner theueren Mutter'), Op. 32: Allegro moderato

2. Symphony No. 1 in G minor ('Seiner theueren Mutter'), Op. 32: Larghetto

3. Symphony No. 1 in G minor ('Seiner theueren Mutter'), Op. 32: Scherzo. Vivace

4. Symphony No. 1 in G minor ('Seiner theueren Mutter'), Op. 32: Allegro moderato assai

5. Symphony No. 2 in E flat major ('Der philharmonischen Gesellschaft in Hamburg'), Op. 46: Allegro tranquillo

6. Symphony No. 2 in E flat major ('Der philharmonischen Gesellschaft in Hamburg'), Op. 46: Tarantella. Molto allegro e con fuoco

7. Symphony No. 2 in E flat major ('Der philharmonischen Gesellschaft in Hamburg'), Op. 46: Notturno. Andante

8. Symphony No. 2 in E flat major ('Der philharmonischen Gesellschaft in Hamburg'), Op. 46: Finale. Poco animato e sempre più - Allegro

Disc: 2

1. Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Mirjam'), Op. 54: Allegro ma non troppo ('In der Knechtschaft')

2. Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Mirjam'), Op. 54: Molto adagio ('Mirjams Gesang')

3. Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Mirjam'), Op. 54: Molto vivace ('Die Flucht')

4. Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Mirjam'), Op. 54: Allegro con brio ('Freiheit; Sieges- und Freudengesänge')

5. Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 62: Allegro

6. Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 62: Andante sostenuto

7. Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 62: Vivace scherzando e con grazia

8. Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 62: Allegro con spirito e giocoso

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Of the Highest Quality, September 23, 2005

By 

Brent D. Lautenschlegar "brentl" (Franklin, TN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Symphonies 1-4 (Audio CD)

I am compelled to write this review today not just because I recently listened to the 3rd symphony of Friedrich Gernsheim and find it to be of the highest quality, but because I am also struck by the uncanny resemblance to Brahms. Many Romantic-era composers have had aspects of their music compared to his, but in Gernsheim I hear more than just the sharing of a musical milieu. The very shape of the musical phrases, the orchestration (though slightly more adventurous), the modulation of dynamics, and the process of thematic development are highly like that of Brahms. Not since I first listened to the symphony of Hans Rott have I been so surprised by the sameness of the music produced by two composers, though on repeated hearings of the former I find less similarity to Mahler than on early listenings.

Brahms is one of those composers who has made me so glad to have invested my time in actively listening to classical music. Despite being bored by the highly-regarded 2nd symphony, I consider his 1st, 3rd, and 4th to be among the greatest of musical compositions. And here comes Gernsheim, using not just the language of Brahms, but very nearly producing music of equivalent quality. Given that he produced 4 symphonies, it is like discovering Brahms all over again. Recommended without reservation.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unknown Genius, July 10, 2003

By 

Paul Grainger (Hassall Grove, New South Wales Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Symphonies 1-4 (Audio CD)

As soon as Symphony No1 commenced I knew here was music by a genius. The texture, the working of themes and the superb command of the orchestra reveals a composer on a par with Schuman and Brahms. Why has the man been so ignored ? Buy this and you will experience one the great moments in symphonic music.

The orchestra and Conductor deserve special thanks for their superb rendition of these truelly great works.

A MUST buy for any classical music lover.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exhilarating, astounding, amazing, January 14, 2004

By 

I. J. J. Nieuwland "Ilja Nieuwland" (Den Haag) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Symphonies 1-4 (Audio CD)

If you like to delve into hitherto little-know regions of the repertoire, you are often pleasantly surprised by what you find and dismayed at the lack of exposure of so much great music. Over the years, I discovered Joachim Raff, I found Joseph Marx and Sergei Taneyev. However, I set out with little expectations when I'd purchased this set for a ridiculously low amount of money. I had never, ever expected to find anything of the quality that is present on this set.

This is not just great music, it is testimony to an inspired, inventive and incredibly talented composer whose neglect should end here and now. Gernsheims acquiantance with Brahms and their different musical fates are recalled in the (excellent) liner notes. Whilst Brahms supremacy is easily explained from historical reasons, the difference between his fame and Gernsheim's obscurity is altogether more difficult to fathom if you listen to the latter's work. All four of these symphonies are better than Brahms' third, and I would rate Gernsheim's second symphony above any of Brahms's (don't be fooled by its rather prosaic-sounding title).

Köhler and the Rheinland-Pfalz Orchestra play impeccably and do these complicated scores full justice.