Radecke: Symphony op. 50, Overture

Sinfonie Orchester Biel Solothurn, Zehnder, Kaspar

CPO 777 995-2

Robert Radecke's musical talent manifested itself when he was a young boy in Silesia. In Berlin he became the music director at the Royal Court Opera in 1863 and the Royal Chapel Master for life in 1871. He was appointed director of Berlin's Royal Institute of Church Music, his last workplace, in 1892 and occupied this post until he was seventy-seven years old. For half a century Radecke contributed significantly to music history in Berlin and Germany. He was personally acquainted with great masters like Schumann, Wagner, Liszt, Brahms, and Richard Strauss and enjoyed friendships with composers such as Bargiel, Joachim, von Herzogenberg, and Bruch. His multifaceted oeuvre comprises more than a hundred songs, chamber music (Piano) compositions, symphonies, overtures, a singspiel, some sacred hymns, choral works, and organ works revealing to us a man of independent talent combined with high compositional artistry and a feel for perfect form. This marvelous romantic music - orchestral works and chamber music - is now celebrating its recording premiere on two CDs on cpo. This month's release features his symphonic works. This enthralling project was made possible by crowd funding organized in Biel and by a generous donation from Christian Radecke, the composer's great-grandson.

CD x 1

CPO

2/26/16

761203799527

American Record Guide: 'Critic’s Choice' (2017)
Fanfare: 'Want List' (2016)