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That flattering review doesn't mention a crucial element I reckon: the sound quality of that recording is awful. I have to turn the volume up to hear the pieces decently and even so, the piano is not well captured at all and it shows. It's a pity because this part of Widor's work is something I was curious about, but the sonics just put me off.

Thank you so much, tuatara!

Thank you, Ilja. I keep my fingers crossed. They probably already recorded those works and, as you say, they're just waiting and making us impatient! 

Other projects I hope they'll complete in the near future are Röntgen and Badings' symphony cycles and Rubinstein's string quartets.

Does anyone know what has happened with the rest of his symphonies from this label? Can anyone contact CPO or anyone related to them in order to know about that? Once I sent them an email and it was never responded. Thank you.

@emi122 thank you so much!

[Carl Frühling: Piano Quintet in F-sharp minor, op. 30 (1892)]

Sorry if my reasons don't have the technical degree to explain in detail why each work deserves to be in my list, but here it goes:


Carl Frühling: Piano Quintet in F-sharp minor, op. 30 (1892)

Quite simply put, this is a towering masterpiece of the highest inspiration. The 1st movement alternates between decided passion and sophisticated lyricism. The lovely 2nd movement exhibits some endearing and tender melodic ideas. The 3rd movement contains the mischievous and playful writing, it's a complete delight from start to finish. And finally, in the 4th movement appears some fine counterpoint and the sparkling ideas don't cease to emerge, ending in a rousing fashion. Every chamber aficionado should check out this spectacular piece.


Othmar Schoeck: String Quartet in C major, op. 37 (1923)

One of the most singular quartets I know which doesn't sound like any other composer. The 1st movement already shows an interesting development. Some rhythmic gestures near the 9' are very cool. The 2nd movement is marked Allegretto tranquillo, but it doesn't have that countenance to me; rather, it's got a sort of nervous temperament to some extent and some effects like depicting the wind blowing. The 3rd movement features piquant pizzicato along with a sensuous and exotic air in some spots. The 4th movement is the proper slow one, providing a sense of intimacy and contemplation, whereas the final 5th one flows agile and rhythmically alive. A very original piece without a doubt.


Franco Alfano: Concerto for piano trio (1932)

This work features a strong feeling of melancholy in the 1st movement I find quite poignant and eloquent, not without its moments of tension. The 2nd movement is aptly marked Allegretto fantastico, showing plenty of gracefulness and quirky gestures. The last movement reminds me of Moeran a little. I perceive an English vibe here quite reminiscent of that geographical zone, perhaps due to the modal writing (?). An exciting movement overall. This is his best chamber composition in my opinion.

Interesting thread and choices so far. I'm giving my selections later.

I liked how the narrative unfolded on Sir John Falstaff. I was engaged from start to finish. Some parts reminded me of Dukas's L'Apprenti Sorcier. A colourful score that can grow on the listener. The Symphony No. 2 didn't disappoint either, except for the meandering 2nd movement which I felt too unfocused and going nowhere. Its hazy atmosphere kind of works, but it is just too much of the same. Anyway, a very welcome release. I hope CPO will record his symphony Nr. 1 at some point.

The Woyrsch release already appears on Presto. Date release: April 23rd.

the cover of cpo new release soon

Do you know what other interesting recordings will be released by this label (other than the ones on Presto)?

Sorry for the confusion. I wasn't being clear. I meant they are completing the cycle with great performances along with the recordings of Nos. 1, 3 and 5 that feature the Artis Quartett on Nimbus and Orfeo (I had in my mind the TCE had recorded them already).

Very happy to see that the Thomas Christian Ensemble is completing the cycle of Weigl's quartets:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9856788--karl-weigl-string-quartets-4-6-intermezzi

Professional performances that will be much better than the ones provided by the subpar Ensemble Mark Rothko on Urania.

A new recording of Noskowski's string quartets on Capriccio:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9851967--zygmunt-noskowski-string-quartets

I echo your sentiments, semloh; the elements of balance and structural integrity make much sense to me, certainly.

This new release has proven to be quite satisfying overall. The music is filled with considerable craftsmanship. The slow movements are particularly gorgeous. The early sextet and piano quartet show a sort of proximity to Mendelssohn, whereas the next two piano quartets sound somewhat closer to Schumann. Each piece seemed more sophisticated than the previous one, culminating with an impressive piano quartet in G minor that might be considered as a masterpiece. The other pieces don't reach that category from my personal perspective, but they do contain fine material in the end. A very appealing recording where all the works were sympathetically played.