Album insights
Introducing three lesser-known works for Viola by three prominent composers of the early 19th century, this CD showcases significant instrumental genres of that era: arrangement, sonata, and character piece.
Beethoven Notturno, Op. 42 (arranged by Franz Xaver Kleinheinz)
The flourishing market for amateur musicians in the late 18th and early 19th centuries led publishers to issue suitable works in various instrumental arrangements to boost profits. Often, the task of arranging fell to someone other than the original composer, illustrating a divide between creativity and routine. Beethoven's own Op. 42, originally a Serenade for String Trio, was arranged into the Notturno by Franz Xaver Kleinheinz. Despite Beethoven's reluctance towards such practices, he authorized Kleinheinz's work, making this arrangement noteworthy. The alternating tempos in the seven movements present intriguing structures, with notable deviations in the central fourth movement.
Mendelssohn Viola Sonata in C Minor
Mendelssohn's Viola Sonata in C Minor, created between November 1823 and February 1824, demonstrates a unique approach within the tonal realm, influenced by Beethoven's works in the same key. The piece's structure diverges from convention, showcasing Mendelssohn's innovative thematic transformations and seamless integration of variations, especially in the third movement's virtuosic Coda leading to a poignant conclusion. The Sonata's culminating moments echo elements found in its earlier sections, portraying Mendelssohn's mastery in dynamic structures and foreshadowing later musical developments.
Schumann Märchenbilder, Op. 113
Given the importance of fairy tales in Romantic literature, it's no surprise that Schumann, inspired by this genre, composed his Märchenbilder in March 1851. These four contrasting pieces, though not directly linked to specific tales, artfully combine tonal unity while revealing tonal surprises, such as the unexpected shift to B major in the third piece. Schumann's choice of 'Bilder' over 'Geschichten' or 'Lieder' reflects his multidisciplinary interests, bridging music and visual arts. Reflecting his passion for literature and music, Schumann's Märchenbilder embody his enchantment with storytelling and evoke an imaginative world of emotions and narratives.
Author: Nicholas Marston © 1997