Album insights
Wilhelm Taubert and Jacob Rosenhain were contemporaries of renowned composers like Felix Mendelssohn, Frédéric Chopin, and Robert Schumann. Taubert, a German conductor, composer, and pianist, started his career at the Berlin Court Concerts and later became a respected music director and teacher. His graceful style, heard in pieces like Minnelieder op. 16 for piano, was favorably compared to Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words. Taubert's works included piano sonatas, orchestral pieces, and a variety of chamber music compositions. Schumann reviewed many of Taubert's works in the New Music Journal, highlighting Taubert's significant contributions to the music world.
Taubert's Piano Concerto No. 1 in E major op. 18 was composed when he was in his early twenties. The concerto was dedicated to his Berlin piano teacher, Ludwig Berger, and drew praise from Schumann for its individuality despite some similarities to Mendelssohn's innovative work. The concerto's charming orchestration and thematic richness left a lasting impression. Taubert's Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major op. 189, composed around 1874, expanded on the traditional concerto structure with a lyrical Andante cantabile section before diving into the energetic Allegro marcato movement.
Jacob Rosenhain, a prominent figure in music life, crafted a variety of compositions and earned respect from notable musicians like Schumann. Rosenhain's Piano Concerto in D minor op. 73, though adhering to a conservative form, showcased his masterful music composition skills. The concerto's three-part structure unfolded with intricate orchestration and thematic development, impressing audiences with its rich harmonies and virtuosic flair. Rosenhain's works, like his Piano Concerto, exemplified his musical craftsmanship and artistic vision, despite facing some criticism from Schumann for perceived conservatism in his later creations.
Influencing musical circles in Paris and beyond, Rosenhain's artistry shone through his extensive body of work, including operas, symphonies, and chamber music pieces. His contributions to the world of music, while not as groundbreaking as his contemporaries, reflected a deep understanding of composition and a dedication to his craft that resonated with audiences during his time and beyond.