...forthcoming from Profil:
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/streichquartette/hnum/6991972 (https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/streichquartette/hnum/6991972)
Blumenfeld we know about, but Theophil Richter (1872-1941) is an unfamiliar name. He was in fact the father of the great pianist Sviatoslav Richter and fell victim to one of Stalin's purges. Interesting...
For those who can read German, there's more information on Richter here:
http://www.kulturforum.info/de/startseite-de/1000305-publikationen/6651-theophil-richter-1872-1941-felix-blumenfeld-1863-1936-string-quartets (http://www.kulturforum.info/de/startseite-de/1000305-publikationen/6651-theophil-richter-1872-1941-felix-blumenfeld-1863-1936-string-quartets)
The audio samples of both works now available at jpc sound pretty glorious. A must-buy for me...
Blumenfeld's String Quartet has been in my wish list for a Loooong time!!I was happy to hear it was finally recorded and coupled by another unsung composer as opposed to the opposite, now just hoping it won't be long till the album is available in the U.S :-\
Excellent news Alan. I have all Blumenfeld's music available!
I too have listened to the sound bites of this CD and also think that they are glorious. CD on order. In the meantime, I was prompted to get out my copy of the CD of Blumenfeld's Symphony and have another listen to whet my appetite. I hadn't listened to it in quite a while and had forgotten how impressive it was!
Very belatedly, Richter talks about his (German, Ukrainian-resident) father (at least briefly?) in the first "Richter: The Enigma" film- and now I'm just going to have to see how much of his was published, too, won't I... :(
The Blumenfeld Symphony is one of those rare things of beauty which makes me very emotional. The whole work is quite moving. Pity it's not taken by any orchestra. It would be a very nice variation to Tchaikovsky's Pathétique.
I agree. Its opening especially has proven obstinately memorable :)