Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz - Bischoff: Symphony No. 1 in E Major, Op. 16 (2006)

CPO’s investigation of the composers from Richard Strauss’s circle (the group known as the Munich School) has brought forth another genuine discovery: Hermann Bischoff. Hermann Bischoff’s Symphony No. 1, being presented here for the first time ever, is a magnificent, vigorous work in every way able to hold its own with Strauss and Mahler.

Strauss, who was only four years Bischoff’s senior, recognized Bischoff’s lyrical talent and high musical intelligence and encouraged him whenever and wherever he could. In 1906 Bischoff’s one-hour first symphony was premiered in Essen; Strauss later conducted the work in together with his own Tod und Verklärung with the Vienna Philharmonic. Sadly, from this point Bischoff’s popularity has greatly diminished; the total oblivion into which his music has fallen is much to be regretted.