Julius RÖNTGEN (1855-1932)
The String Trios - Volume 3
String Trio No. 9 in A flat Major [15:35]
String Trio No. 10 in F minor [13:16]
String Trio No. 11 in G minor [17:08]
String Trio No. 12 in A Major [14:13]
Lendvai String Trio
rec. Music Room, Champs Hill, West Sussex, England, 19-21 March 2014
CHAMPS HILL RECORDS CHRCD101 [61:12]
Although Julius Röntgen is regarded as a Dutch composer
he did not become a citizen until 1919. He was actually German by birth being
born in Leipzig on 9 May 1855. His music has recently seen signs of revival
with CPO producing many fine discs. This is the second disc in this impressive
series that I have, the other being Volume 2 on CHRCD087.
Reviews of volume 1 in the Lendvai's series can be found here.
I also have the fine recording of the last four String Trios by the Offenburg
String Trio on Naxos 8.573384. The Offenburg are a real challenger to the
Lendvai. It is a shame that Naxos has not as yet released any more discs in
the series.
The music contained within the Trios presented on this disc, and in most of
the composer's music that I have heard, is quite conservative in outlook.
There's no hankering for the modern style. All four Trios were composed
between 1923 and 1925, yet they show a romantic nature akin to the music of
Röntgen's heroes Schumann and Brahms. Whilst this is not to be criticised,
it could explain why only one of his sixteen Trios was published in the composer's
lifetime. All the Trios that I have heard are beautifully crafted works in
this somewhat outmoded idiom, one which seems to have fallen out of style
since the romantics. They all include examples of wonderful short movements,
with this present disc being no exception. In fact I am coming to regard this
disc as my favourite of the three that I have. Yes, there are no outstanding
tunes to get you whistling along but the music presented represents an hour
of sheer enjoyment.
The playing of the Lendvai String Trio on this disc is stronger than in volume
two and is better than that heard on the Offenburg String Trio’s, at
present, single disc of the Trios. The music has been captured in excellent
sound and the booklet notes by Margaret Krill only serve to heighten the listener's
enjoyment. Champs Hill Records should be applauded for championing this neglected
music as well as this young ensemble.
Stuart Sillitoe
Support
us financially by purchasing this from |
|
 |
 |
 |
|