Röntgen: Symphonie Nr.3

Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, Porcelijn, David

CPO 777119

In vindication of a Dutch master's honour
Admittedly, his family roots were in Germany, and he allegedly spoke Dutch with a heavy German accent throughout his life, but Julius Roentgen should nevertheless be regarded as the most important and most versatile composer in Holland in the later years of the 19th (and because of his long lifetime, partly also the first half of the 20th) century. His work is almost incredibly extensive: about 20 symphonies – if you include the symphonic-oratorio works such as e. g. his »Faust« – five piano concerts, four violin concerts, diverse concerts for several instruments, chamber music of all genres, music for piano solo, and furthermore almost constantly with engagements as a conductor and pianist (for instance the Dutch premiere of Brahms' concert no. 2), an official in several musical societies and – last but not least – father of seven children: an almost Baroque personality. He wrote 15 symphonies in the final two years along (1930 / 31) – just to be hidden in a drawer! cpo now rescues them from their hideaway: in a great editorial challenge together with the Nederlands Muzikinstituut (since the orchestra material first has to be produced and edited!) and Donemus publishing house, we shall produce the complete symphonic works by this truly great European in the next years.

CD x 1

CPO

07/11/2006

0761203711925