Wilhelm Taubert, a conductor, pianist, and composer active in Berlin, was, like Jacob Rosenhain, a contemporary of great musicians such as Mendelssohn, Chopin, Liszt, Wagner, and Verdi. Both composed impressive piano concertos and orchestral works. Taubert began his career in Berlin, where he later became a respected teacher at the Royal Academy of Arts.
As a member of a Berlin musical circle, Taubert became known primarily for his elegant songs and character pieces. Robert Schumann, who reviewed numerous works by Taubert, particularly praised his compositions. Despite its stylistic similarities to Mendelssohn's first piano concerto, Taubert's first piano concerto, which he dedicated to his teacher Berger, impressed Schumann with its originality.
Many years later, Taubert composed his second piano concerto, which enriched the concerto format with a lyrical Andante cantabile. Schumann was captivated by its masterful orchestration and musical quality. Virtuosic passages and artful thematic development underscore the harmonious and brilliant design of the concerto.
Jacob Rosenhain, a talented composer with a diverse output, was in contact with renowned artists of his era. His Piano Concerto in D minor, characterized by a rather traditional form, captivates with its great musicality and appealing melodies. Although Schumann criticized Rosenhain's later works, he nevertheless praised the quality of his Piano Trio.