Cello Concertos by Georg Goltermann (1824-1898) and Wilhelm Jeral (1861-1935) have been coupled on a recent CD (XXI-CD 2 1605).
The German composer Georg Goltermann was well known as cello virtuoso during the second half of the 19th century. Today, he is only familiar to cello players through a few short encore and study pieces but he wrote as much as 8 cello concertos. The one played here is number 3 in B minor Op. 51 (wrongly listed as Op.57 in the back cover). Anyway, it is different from the only other Goltermann concerto already issued on CD (number 2 in D major Op.30) and, thus, this performance is justly claimed as a World premiere recording on CD". The concerto is a pleasant one, written in a early-romantic style, but (as is the case of the works of other cello virtuosi such as Duport, Romberg, Popper, Franz Neruda, ...) it is not an ambitious or substantial work.
Somewhat more interesting is the concerto of the Czech Wilhelm Jeral, an obscure, nowadays totally forgotten, romantic composer. He was also a cellist, playing as first cello at the Vienna Opera orchestra under Gustav Mahler. At that position he came in direct competition with Franz Schmidt. The story is told by Schmidt himself in his Autobiographical Sketch (an English translation can be found in H. Truscott "The Music of Franz Schmidt. Vol 1: The Orchestral Music" Toccata Press). After retirement of an older first cellist, Schmidt used to play the orchestral solos as an interim section leader. However, when the position was officially assigned, it was shared by Jeral and one Buxbaum (according to Schmidt, this was a result of the intrigues of Arnold Rosé, the orchestral leader and brother-in-law of Mahler). Even if Mahler seemed to prefer Schmidt's playing, he condescended in order not to come in conflict with Rosé. All this embittered Schmidt. At a certain rehearsal of "Die Walküre" Mahler was dissatisfied with Jeral and Buxbaum performances and asked Schmidt to play the solos. Schmidt refused to do so unless he was promoted to the principal position on the spot. Mahler raged in anger rejecting Schmidt's pretension, and the relation between the two great composers became strained ever after.
Jeral's Cello Concerto Op.10 is written in a more advanced romantic idiom than Goltermann (but, nevertheless, fairly more conservative than Mahler or Schmidt). Most moving is the central Adagio with a beautifully serene melody. The first movement is in a somewhat pastoral mood and the last one is a tarantella.
Scores of both concertos (in reduction for cello and piano) can be downloaded at IMSLP.
The sound and performance are very good and the CD rounds off with an orchestral piece: Hugo Wolf's Corregidor Suite (arranged by Hans Gal). This disc is a true rarity.
The German composer Georg Goltermann was well known as cello virtuoso during the second half of the 19th century. Today, he is only familiar to cello players through a few short encore and study pieces but he wrote as much as 8 cello concertos. The one played here is number 3 in B minor Op. 51 (wrongly listed as Op.57 in the back cover). Anyway, it is different from the only other Goltermann concerto already issued on CD (number 2 in D major Op.30) and, thus, this performance is justly claimed as a World premiere recording on CD". The concerto is a pleasant one, written in a early-romantic style, but (as is the case of the works of other cello virtuosi such as Duport, Romberg, Popper, Franz Neruda, ...) it is not an ambitious or substantial work.
Somewhat more interesting is the concerto of the Czech Wilhelm Jeral, an obscure, nowadays totally forgotten, romantic composer. He was also a cellist, playing as first cello at the Vienna Opera orchestra under Gustav Mahler. At that position he came in direct competition with Franz Schmidt. The story is told by Schmidt himself in his Autobiographical Sketch (an English translation can be found in H. Truscott "The Music of Franz Schmidt. Vol 1: The Orchestral Music" Toccata Press). After retirement of an older first cellist, Schmidt used to play the orchestral solos as an interim section leader. However, when the position was officially assigned, it was shared by Jeral and one Buxbaum (according to Schmidt, this was a result of the intrigues of Arnold Rosé, the orchestral leader and brother-in-law of Mahler). Even if Mahler seemed to prefer Schmidt's playing, he condescended in order not to come in conflict with Rosé. All this embittered Schmidt. At a certain rehearsal of "Die Walküre" Mahler was dissatisfied with Jeral and Buxbaum performances and asked Schmidt to play the solos. Schmidt refused to do so unless he was promoted to the principal position on the spot. Mahler raged in anger rejecting Schmidt's pretension, and the relation between the two great composers became strained ever after.
Jeral's Cello Concerto Op.10 is written in a more advanced romantic idiom than Goltermann (but, nevertheless, fairly more conservative than Mahler or Schmidt). Most moving is the central Adagio with a beautifully serene melody. The first movement is in a somewhat pastoral mood and the last one is a tarantella.
Scores of both concertos (in reduction for cello and piano) can be downloaded at IMSLP.
The sound and performance are very good and the CD rounds off with an orchestral piece: Hugo Wolf's Corregidor Suite (arranged by Hans Gal). This disc is a true rarity.