An interesting new release coming from CPO in mid-Oct:
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/cpo/detail/-/art/felix-draeseke-streichquartette-op-27-op-35/hnum/8992780
I enjoyed the symphonies a lot but the chamber music isn't always easy to get hold of because of the obscure label it was on. Looking forward to this and should bring the music to a wider audience, hopefully!
No.2 is an absolutely stunning masterpiece - better, IMHO, than any of Brahms' quartets.
(https://media1.jpc.de/image/w600/front/0/0761203528127.jpg)
All three quartets previously recorded at least once. Holderlin Quartet on AK Coburg was one of those.
QuoteNo.2 is an absolutely stunning masterpiece - better, IMHO, than any of Brahms' quartets.
High praise. My experience with Draeseke is limited to the stunning Tragic Symphony(I think we're still in need of a great performance) Is their an essential listening guide of his works?
I see in the description the two string quartets are favourably compared to late Dvorak, that would be lovely. If they're as inspired as those works it will be an instant purchase for me.
There is no guide to Draeseke's works in book form, but you'll find more or less everything you need to know at the website dedicated to him and his music: https://draeseke.org/ (https://draeseke.org/)
You'll also find some audio excerpts from String Quartet No.2 here:
http://www.editionsilvertrust.com/draeseke-string-quartet-2.htm
Nice site, thank you.
Are there any of his operas worth reviving you think? I vaguely recall many years ago hearing about a opera/oratorio in 4 parts about Christ... is that worth hearing? I must admit I enjoy meaty works to listen to... I just need to be persuaded if they're worth my time though.
Christus is an almight bore, quite frankly - at least, it is in its only available recording. Don't bother! No idea about the operas, but there's plenty else to explore.
Alan's spot on. Avoid this recording of Christus, in Follert's hands it's tedium on a stick.
looking forward to hearing their take on #3 (which matesic recorded for IMSLP.)
Any recording of the Draeseke quartets is for me a must buy. Alan Krueck's selfless service to Draeseke has given many of us a chance to get acquainted with the master's quartets, splendid works all (even if his second string quintet, op. 77, may be the acme of his chamber music). But with works of this caliber, multiple perspectives on the scores are more than welcome, they're necessary. So CPO, thank you, but what took you so long?
Regarding Draeseke's dramatic works, to see how naturally vocal drama came to him, give his opus 1 a try: the 14+ minute scena Helga's Treue is on the CPO CD of Draeseke's Lieder.
What? cpo got to the string quartets before anyone but the AK-Coburg label... lovely though the 2nd string quartet seems to be (I -still- haven't heard the whole thing as yet, though the sample at Draeseke.org is a wonderful, harmonically subtle exposition) and the 3rd quartet is, it's not as though their recording will be facing much competition, unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on the PoV.)
I wonder what the digital release of this is now. I really wish they would release simultaneously on all platforms. It irks me that I'm being punished for pirates.
Blame the pirates, and YouTube and the other platforms abetting their piracy, Kevin, not the recording labels. They've got to make money or we wouldn't be enjoying this golden age for unsung recordings.
Yeah, I suppose. Still, it's very frustrating... all I want is to get my mittens on these works!
This is a wonderful CD. The level of understanding of this music evinced by the Constanze Quartet is simply breathtaking. I've said before and I'll say again that I can't see why these works aren't in the standard repertoire. They're intensely memorable and intensely felt - and their language is utterly unique.
Can't wait for volume 2 and String Quartet No.3.
Well, as to digital release, I see that another similar and recent cpo disc (Gernsheim quartets volume 1) is now listed @ Naxos Direct (and if I remember is streamable at Amazon also), likewise they list several other cpo discs that have been mentioned here (on their "cpo issues ordered "newest first"")
so hopefully not too long for -this- one too...
(_Some_ of these are available @ NML (and some, but not all, of those to subscribers of NML through imslp.org - sometimes irregularly, eg a cpo disc both of whose works are @ imslp will only appear on one of the two pages despite their being no copyright issues- maybe one just needs to wait a bit...))
If anyone knows of the digital release date post it here please(I don't want to hunt all over the net looking for date) My thanks in advance.
In the meanwhile having -finally- heard the 2nd quartet (in a video of a 1980s concert and/or radio recording) I too am impatient for digital release of this CD; it is just as fine a work as I'd hoped :)
When you (Eric and Kevin) refer to "the digital release of this CD" do you mean a digital download?
QuoteWhen you (Eric and Kevin) refer to "the digital release of this CD" do you mean a digital download?
Yes. A physical CD gets release preference because I imagine its not as susceptible to pirates/youtube/streaming.
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8704305--felix-draeseke-string-quartets-vol-1
It doesn't say anything about digital, but in my experience with CPO it should the same day as the CD or very close to it.
Now available from Records International (http://recordsinternational.com/cd.php?cd=02V008).
Quote from: Kevin S on Monday 04 November 2019, 08:07
Yes. A physical CD gets release preference because I imagine its not as susceptible to pirates/youtube/streaming.
I've noticed that the opposite is almost all cases the past couple or more years. The digital comes out a couple weeks, sometimes a month, before the CD. Maybe this isn't true for specific labels but for sure is for the larger labels (the 'majors' and the large classical indies like Naxos and Chandos)
Incidentally to get back on topic, I'm guessing since I really enjoy that disc of Draeseke's horn and clarinet music, this one should be on my radar?
From the live performance I've heard from them (from YouTube) of the minuet from the first quartet, and the live performance by a different group of the 2nd quartet (also on YouTube, which I've played several times- it's becoming something of a favorite piece I think- there's several minutes of excerpts from the only other existing recording, over at Draeseke.org, that may help explain some of the reason why- eg melodically very memorable and well-crafted even for middle-period Draeseke (especially compared to the contemporary piano concerto)), - I'd say yes.
MusicWeb's favourable review can be found here:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2020/Feb/Draeseke_quartets_v1_5552812.htm (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2020/Feb/Draeseke_quartets_v1_5552812.htm)
Now available for download, as is its booklet, here (https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CX%205281).
I've listened to both. I was slightly disappointed with both, the quartets could've maybe had better/stronger melodic material? I have to give them a deeper dive again later to be sure(I always give works a second, third or many tries to win me over). Apart from his 3rd Symphony Draeseke doesn't grab me as much as I'd like. A pity.
Draeseke is a relatively 'tough nut to crack', I must admit. That said, Quartet No.2 has one of the most haunting and memorable openings in the whole string quartet repertoire: that arching theme is almost Brucknerian in character.
I agree. Draeseke can seem difficult on first hearing (I certainly found him so), but he is very much worth persevering with (IMHO).
Yes, the 2nd is beautiful, and I think it just gets better each time I hear it. That first movement is especially fine.