The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Raphael Wallfisch, Eileen Hulse, Neeme Järvi - Strauss: Symphony No. 2, Romanze in F & Six Songs (2004)

Tracklist

01. Symphony No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 12, TrV 126: I. Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
02. Symphony No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 12, TrV 126: II. Scherzo. Presto
03. Symphony No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 12, TrV 126: III. Andante cantabile
04. Symphony No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 12, TrV 126: IV. Finale. Allegro assai, molto appassionato
05. Romanze for Cello & Orchestra, TrV 118
06. 6 Lieder, Op. 68, TrV 235: I. An die Nacht
07. 6 Lieder, Op. 68, TrV 235: II. Ich wollt ein Sträußlein binden
08. 6 Lieder, Op. 68, TrV 235: III. Säusle, liebe Myrthe
09. 6 Lieder, Op. 68, TrV 235: IV. Als mir dein Lied erklang
10. 6 Lieder, Op. 68, TrV 235: V. Amor
11. 6 Lieder, Op. 68, TrV 235: VI. Lied der Frauen


Those who know Richard Strauss' tone poems but little else may encounter a few surprises on this 2004 compilation from Chandos Classics. Two of the selections are early works that show the young Strauss dutifully working toward symphonic mastery through classical forms; and the third reveals him as a mature, sensitive creator of orchestral art songs. If the Symphony No. 2 in F minor seems more Brahmsian than Wagnerian, then this is due to the constraints imposed by the composer's father. Strauss eventually shed the conservative influences that preoccupied him in this sophomore effort, but the symphony's expansiveness and solid orchestration point to the craftsmanship and professionalism that sustained Strauss until he found his true voice. The Romanze in F major for cello and orchestra is mild in its mid-nineteenth century Romanticism and would seem insipid except for cellist Raphael Wallfisch's passionate playing. In dramatic contrast, the Six Songs are fully realized and deeply impressive settings of texts by Clemens von Brentano. Soprano Eileen Hulse convincingly portrays their moods of heartbreaking tenderness and fragile hope, and Neeme Järvi and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra supply a warmly shaded accompaniment, their best performance on this disc. The recording is fine, except for some muddied textures in the symphony.

DOWNLOAD ALBUM [flac]