A bit surprised to find we don't have a thread for the Swiss composer Hans Huber yet, so rectifying that now.
Hans Huber wrote eight symphonies, concertos, operas, choral music and chamber music among others. The symphonies have all been recorded and are available on Sterling.
Quote from: Maestro267 on February 08, 2024, 07:46:35 AMA bit surprised to find we don't have a thread for the Swiss composer Hans Huber yet, so rectifying that now.
Hans Huber wrote eight symphonies, concertos, operas, choral music and chamber music among others. The symphonies have all been recorded and are available on Sterling.
His second symphony is quite nice. I should get back to listening to the rest of them! (And, I've added this thread to the list of composer threads!)
I've ordered the 5-disc set of the symphonies and it should be here soon. Looking forward to hearing them. I've been looking at them for a little while now.
Update: It's arrived.
Listening to Symphony No. 1 again and it's a very pleasant Romantic work akin to Schumann and Brahms, I would say.
A quite uneven composer, I would say, but his Symphonies nos. 2, 4, and 8 have impressed me. The 2nd (Böcklin-Symphonie) is his most "epic" and dramatic symphony, the 4th is notable for its colorful contributions from piano and organ in sort of a concerto grosso fashion, and the 8th possesses a lovely pastoral atmosphere.
This new release has appeared on YouTube. There's something really weird about CPO releases. Its webpage doesn't show these releases, but they do come up on YouTube the first. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
(https://i.imgur.com/Iucrm6j.jpeg)
Wow! That doesn't even appear on JPC (CPO's own store) and it is not anywhere in the Naxos database for distributors/retailers, even as an upcoming release.
It appears on Amazon Music streaming
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on May 14, 2024, 09:18:30 AMThis new release has appeared on YouTube. There's something really weird about CPO releases. Its webpage doesn't show these releases, but they do come up on YouTube the first. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
(https://i.imgur.com/Iucrm6j.jpeg)
I don't think it's been officially released yet.
There's also a CD on the Musiques Suisses label with the Aura Quartet.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on May 14, 2024, 09:18:30 AMThis new release has appeared on YouTube. There's something really weird about CPO releases. Its webpage doesn't show these releases, but they do come up on YouTube the first. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
(https://i.imgur.com/Iucrm6j.jpeg)
Listened to this brand new release a few weeks ago and it exceeded my expectations! These two quintets, from 1896 and 1907 respectively, are stronger works than the majority of his eight symphonies and are actually quite original in their musical language, particularly the second of them. The Quintet No. 1 in G minor is filled with striving energy and big, "orchestral" sonorities. The musical language is basically in the broader Brahmsian tradition, but very loosely so and not at all in a derivative way. The Quintet No. 2 in G major, subtitled "Divertimento", is practically free of any noticeable influences and is often strikingly imaginative, particularly in the colorful and unpredictable first movement, titled
Quasi fantasia. What's particularly ear-catching are the rather forward-looking textures that Huber employs featuring glistening piano runs, string tremolos and pizzicati, etc. The performances by the Carmina Quartett and that stalwart champion of unsung repertoire, pianist Oliver Triendl, are full of palpable enthusiasm and a sense of discovery. (If I were to be super picky, the Carmina Quartett's intonation isn't always spot-on.) This release can be confidently recommended to all Romantic Era chamber music enthusiasts!
Quote from: kyjo on June 09, 2024, 08:33:35 PMListened to this brand new release a few weeks ago and it exceeded my expectations! These two quintets, from 1896 and 1907 respectively, are stronger works than the majority of his eight symphonies and are actually quite original in their musical language, particularly the second of them. The Quintet No. 1 in G minor is filled with striving energy and big, "orchestral" sonorities. The musical language is basically in the broader Brahmsian tradition, but very loosely so and not at all in a derivative way. The Quintet No. 2 in G major, subtitled "Divertimento", is practically free of any noticeable influences and is often strikingly imaginative, particularly in the colorful and unpredictable first movement, titled Quasi fantasia. What's particularly ear-catching are the felicitous textures that Huber employs featuring glistening piano runs, string tremolos and pizzicati, etc. The performances by the Carmina Quartett and that stalwart champion of unsung repertoire, pianist Oliver Triendl, are full of palpable enthusiasm and a sense of discovery. (If I were to be super picky, the Carmina Quartett's intonation isn't always spot-on.) This release can be confidently recommended to all Romantic Era chamber music enthusiasts!
I haven't looked deeply into it, but are the Carmina Quartett here the same found on this exquisite Szymanowski SQs recording on Denon?
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81WthNYPLmL._SL1423_.jpg)
Just curious as I wasn't aware this quartet were still around.
Quote from: kyjo on June 09, 2024, 08:33:35 PMListened to this brand new release a few weeks ago and it exceeded my expectations! These two quintets, from 1896 and 1907 respectively, are stronger works than the majority of his eight symphonies and are actually quite original in their musical language, particularly the second of them. The Quintet No. 1 in G minor is filled with striving energy and big, "orchestral" sonorities. The musical language is basically in the broader Brahmsian tradition, but very loosely so and not at all in a derivative way. The Quintet No. 2 in G major, subtitled "Divertimento", is practically free of any noticeable influences and is often strikingly imaginative, particularly in the colorful and unpredictable first movement, titled Quasi fantasia. What's particularly ear-catching are the rather forward-looking textures that Huber employs featuring glistening piano runs, string tremolos and pizzicati, etc. The performances by the Carmina Quartett and that stalwart champion of unsung repertoire, pianist Oliver Triendl, are full of palpable enthusiasm and a sense of discovery. (If I were to be super picky, the Carmina Quartett's intonation isn't always spot-on.) This release can be confidently recommended to all Romantic Era chamber music enthusiasts!
I listened to the 2nd Piano 5tet earlier and my word it is remarkable!
Quote from: kyjo on June 09, 2024, 08:33:35 PMListened to this brand new release a few weeks ago and it exceeded my expectations! These two quintets, from 1896 and 1907 respectively, are stronger works than the majority of his eight symphonies and are actually quite original in their musical language, particularly the second of them. The Quintet No. 1 in G minor is filled with striving energy and big, "orchestral" sonorities. The musical language is basically in the broader Brahmsian tradition, but very loosely so and not at all in a derivative way. The Quintet No. 2 in G major, subtitled "Divertimento", is practically free of any noticeable influences and is often strikingly imaginative, particularly in the colorful and unpredictable first movement, titled Quasi fantasia. What's particularly ear-catching are the rather forward-looking textures that Huber employs featuring glistening piano runs, string tremolos and pizzicati, etc. The performances by the Carmina Quartett and that stalwart champion of unsung repertoire, pianist Oliver Triendl, are full of palpable enthusiasm and a sense of discovery. (If I were to be super picky, the Carmina Quartett's intonation isn't always spot-on.) This release can be confidently recommended to all Romantic Era chamber music enthusiasts!
Interesting, Kyle. They'll be in my listening sessions on these days.
Quote from: Mirror Image on June 09, 2024, 08:37:06 PMI haven't looked deeply into it, but are the Carmina Quartett here the same found on this exquisite Szymanowski SQs recording on Denon?
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81WthNYPLmL._SL1423_.jpg)
Just curious as I wasn't aware this quartet were still around.
Yep, I'd assume so, John!
Quote from: Maestro267 on June 10, 2024, 07:23:49 AMI listened to the 2nd Piano 5tet earlier and my word it is remarkable!
Certainly! It really exceeded my expectations and is a more "modern"-sounding (quasi-Impressionist?) and more colorful work than I had expected from Huber. It just goes to show how certain composers were at their best in chamber music - though I won't deny that a few of Huber's symphonies are quite enjoyable.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on June 10, 2024, 03:12:50 PMInteresting, Kyle. They'll be in my listening sessions on these days.
I don't doubt that you'll find much to enjoy in those two quintets, Cesar!
Quote from: kyjo on June 10, 2024, 08:10:06 PMCertainly! It really exceeded my expectations and is a more "modern"-sounding (quasi-Impressionist?) and more colorful work than I had expected from Huber. It just goes to show how certain composers were at their best in chamber music - though I won't deny that a few of Huber's symphonies are quite enjoyable.
Indeed. It's like if Brahms suddenly decided to write like Debussy or Ravel. (Physically impossible, I know, but you get the idea.)
Finally I got around to giving a listen to the piano quintets, courtesy of CPO. Absolutely phenomenal! Two highly likable, delightful, sophisticated works where the first one sounded to me more related to Brahms and the second one with hints of Fauré. The latter impressed me the most, a potential masterpiece. I can confidently say that I didn't find any dull moments whatsoever, they are consistently engaging in their writing. Another remarkable discovery of this year to me.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on June 15, 2024, 07:45:42 PMFinally I got around to giving a listen to the piano quintets, courtesy of CPO. Absolutely phenomenal! Two highly likable, delightful, sophisticated works where the first one sounded to me more related to Brahms and the second one with hints of Fauré. The latter impressed me the most, a potential masterpiece. I can confidently say that I didn't find any dull moments whatsoever, they are consistently engaging in their writing. Another remarkable discovery of this year to me.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the piano quintets as much as I did, Cesar! One thing I find fascinating about many Swiss composers is that they were equally open to both Germanic and French influences due to Switzerland's geographic location between the two countries. One can definitely hear this confluence in Huber's two quintets, with No. 1 leaning more towards Germanic influences and No. 2 leaning more towards French influences. As I said before, No. 2 is truly a remarkably colorful, kaleidoscopic work which had me rethinking my notion of Huber as a rather "conservative" composer.
I'm looking forward to exploring more of Huber's substantial chamber output which also includes 2 piano quartets, 4 piano trios, 4 cello sonatas, and no less than 9 violin sonatas!