{"product_id":"viotta-ensemble-netherlands-chamber-choir-netherlands-radio-symphony-orchestra-kerr-horsch-grot-orchestral-choral-chamber_aec-brlt96104-2","title":"Viotta Ensemble  Netherlands Chamber Choir  Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra  Kerr  Horsch  Grot - Orchestral Choral \u0026 Chamber","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn February 1896, Clara Schumann described Julius Röntgen in a letter to Johannes Brahms: 'He has remained a child, so innocent, pure, open, enthusiastic... But we certainly can and must take him seriously.' Brahms certainly agreed and stole from the younger composer a theme from the Serenade which opens this compilation, for use in his own Second Symphony; when Röntgen pointed this out, he was the recipient of a rare apology from Brahms. Born in 1855, Röntgen grew up in Leipzig, the son of the leader of the Gewandhaus orchestra. As a boy he met Liszt, having already composed music for the likes of Joseph Joachim. His move to Amsterdam in 1877 launched a multifaceted career as a pianist, conductor and teacher who continued to compose prolifically in all the classical genres. He became friends with Grieg, who dedicated a volume of Lyric Pieces to him, and much of his own output convincingly welds Austro-German forms with a fresh, Scandinavian-accented simplicity of expression. This portrait of Röntgen ranges across his diverse output, from the Serenade of 1876 to one of the symphonies he wrote late in life, a single-movement form composed in 1930 with a soprano vocalise. A youthful and joyous Violin Sonata of 1879 was composed for the violinist Amanda Maier, who would soon become his first wife; it's high spirits are shared by the Theme and Variations for two pianos from the previous year. The Cello Sonata Op.56 is dedicated to the memory of a friend and adapts the final chorus of Bach's St Matthew Passion. His Sixth Piano Trio Op.50 opens in high Brahmsian style with a passionate main melody and a tender slow movement. A trio of motets dates from the 1920s and features some of his most daring harmonies, before the Symphony strikes a vein of pastoral contemplation akin to the Sinfonia Espansiva of Nielsen, who had also become a friend.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Brilliant Classics","offers":[{"title":"New \/ CD \/ Orchestral Choral \u0026 Chamber Brilliant Classics","offer_id":47775621546292,"sku":"BRLT96104.2","price":20.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0790\/7436\/1652\/files\/3770541-2530011.jpg?v=1768325554","url":"https:\/\/www.fye.com\/products\/viotta-ensemble-netherlands-chamber-choir-netherlands-radio-symphony-orchestra-kerr-horsch-grot-orchestral-choral-chamber_aec-brlt96104-2","provider":"FYE","version":"1.0","type":"link"}