Röntgen String Trios from Champs Hill

[Alan Howe]

Looks inviting:
http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Champs%2BHill%2BRecords/CHRCD068

[petershott@btinternet.com]

Hurrah for small specialist labels such as Champs Hill. I spotted this one a few days ago, and onto the order list it went. Interesting that the String Trios haven't been explored before (to my knowledge), so it is encouraging that we're going to be treated to a full survey.

I suppose Rontgen isn't at all unique in the matter, but if you go through the list of compositions on the Rontgen website (and it is formidable - how did he get the time to compose so much between all his other activities?), and then compare it with the recordings available, there is a pretty large discrepancy between the two. There is much yet to come (and especially chamber music), and with every recording such as the present one in which that discrepancy becomes lessened the happier I am.

[eschiss1]

Wait, they're called the Lendvai Trio? After the composer, I assume (who wrote 3 string trios himself, one notes... part of one of which is sort-of recorded, see Worldcat) (there's another, more famous, Lendvai, but...)

The group's Wigmore Hall debut was in 2006, but I see they were actually founded in 2004. (And at least one of their namesake's trios is in their repertoire, I see. Ah. No surprise!

I look forward to hearing these Rontgen recordings too- thanks!! Hrm- the list at Nederlandsmuziekinstituut.nl really is very interesting (and now seems fairly full, though lacking the details about each piece that the Donemus PDF has/had.) Also makes sense of all those string quartets and quartettinos etc. etc.! ...)

[Alan Howe]

...then compare it with the recordings available, there is a pretty large discrepancy between the two. There is much yet to come...

Only a decade ago there was almost nothing available. Since then the composer's grandson has done much behind the scenes to generate interest in the music - and certain Dutch scholars and experts have also played a big role. But thanks go mainly to cpo for daring to record the orchestral music.

[eschiss1]

I agree re cpo, though I've heard a few of the early CDs on the Cobra label (ca.2005), iirc (also the Donemus recording of 2 of the piano concertos from 1997) (from Concertzender broadcasts, I believe) and credit to those (e.g.) for getting that going (and to cpo for _really_ picking up the ball - with intent   I see that before the cello concertos cpo's most recent one was a disc of three symphonies I seem to have missed...)

[Balapoel]

Jumping on the Rontgen bandwagon. I've said it here before: I think Rontgen is one of (if not the most) significant discovery I've made in the last 5 years. His music is always rewarding, no matter the genre, and after hearing so much (39 chamber works, 26 orchestral works, 5 piano works, and 7 vocal works)- I can definitely hear his distinctive voice. The trios are on my order list. Can't wait for subsequent volumes - I guess with 16 trios, we're looking at around 4 volumes.

[Mark Thomas]

I'll certainly add this new recording to my list. Only yesterday I downloaded this oddly titled album, with magnificent performances of a late Piano Quintet, String Sextet, Clarinet Trio and Violin Sonata, all of them new to me. Every work is powerful, imaginative and beautifully crafted music. Maybe this album has been discussed here before, but in any event I thoroughly recommend it.

[eschiss1]

that's the one played by the ARC group that's recorded quite a number of interesting albums (and performed at least one concert we have or have had in our uploads/whatever section) ? I've heard part of that I think- the quintet in G with the odd subtitle (Feeling new strength, I think?...) - and the viola sonata perhaps- I was very much impressed esp. by the quintet... if that was his last work, as I seem to recall vaguely, then- well - what a work to close on...

[Peter1953]

Available within a few weeks. The audio samples sound promising...

[FBerwald]

Just promising...? They sound absolutely heavenly

[Sharkkb8]

It appears that Volume 3 of this series, including string trios numbered 9-12, is on the horizon, mid-November.

http://www.mdt.co.uk/rontgen-julius-complete-string-trios-marie-macleod-champs-hill-records.html