I’ve spent the last two days listening to undiscovered Tyrolian music. And I’ve enjoyed it very much.
The 4 symphonies from Josef Netzer (1808-1864) are all easy listening. Nothing exiting, hardly any progress, no sparkling passages, no catching thematic material, but just pleasant. Anyone who likes symphonic music of the 2nd quarter of the 19th century will like Netzer’s symphonies. I’ve listened to these symphonies twice, and I have a slight preference for the 4th. Are they worth buying? I think so, and certainly for half price. To my ears it’s relaxing classical background music. They are “documented” in the CDs Klingende Kostbarkeiten aus Tirol 40 (2&3) and 45 (1&4).
Much more interesting is the purely Romantic symphony In Tirol in F major, op. 39, from Josef Pembaur (The Elder, 1848-1923). It’s a description of the Tyrolian life translated in four lovely movements. I hope to hear this symphony also when I’m visiting Tyrol, and can enjoy the folk music, like Pembaur presents in the 3rd movement Spiel und Tanz im Dorfe (Play and Dance in the Village). His Frühlingsouvertüre (Spring Overture), written as a young man to present himself as a composer of symphonic music, is also very worth while listening. This CD, Klingende Kostbarkeiten aus Tirol 54 features another work, here for the first time performed. Nothing less than a most wonderful Cello Concerto (no key is given). To my ears a real find! In fact I’m amazed that this gem (I even dare to call it a masterpiece) has been so neglected. This op. 86, composed around the year 1910, is in a late Romantic style and has kept me fully concentrated listening. BTW, congratulations for the young cellist Tim Ströble, especially in his subtle playing of the moving Romanze. The concerto is a winner and deserves to be put on a list of great Romantic Cello Concertos.
The CD Klingende Kostbarekeiten aus Tirol 51 couples two other symphonies. The 2nd is Matthäus Nagiller’s Symphony 1 in C minor, composed in 1845 when he was staying in Paris. A picture of a part of the score shows the French names of the musical instruments in his beautiful handwriting. The first movement, an allegro, is IMO the best part of his symphony. I hope to hearing more from Nagiller (1815-1874).
And now the Pièce the Résistance. That is the only symphony by Johann Baptist Gänsbacher (1778-1844). In one word, no, two words: utterly sparkling. At this moment I’m listening to it for the 6th time in two days. This music makes me feel good and happy. All four movements are a constant joy. There is an important role for the wind instruments, especially in the outer movements. It reminds me of Joseph Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto, the opening movement after the slow introduction in particular. In fact, I think the whole symphony seems like a sort of combination of Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto and both symphonies from Von Weber. I just love it. Very warmly recommended!
In summary, very lovely music, but… not at the same level as Johann Rufinatscha. He is definitely the pearl of Tyrol.
I am so enthusiastic about Pembaur, so I thought I order his four-handed piano music as well. But… what happened to the Museum’s on line shop? It looks like it is not accessible.
febnyc, once your CDs arrive, you will find out that it has been worth waiting for.
