Symphony No. 1 in G minor ('Seiner theueren Mutter'), Op. 32: Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 1 in G minor ('Seiner theueren Mutter'), Op. 32: Larghetto
Symphony No. 1 in G minor ('Seiner theueren Mutter'), Op. 32: Scherzo. Vivace
Symphony No. 1 in G minor ('Seiner theueren Mutter'), Op. 32: Allegro moderato assai
Symphony No. 2 in E flat major ('Der philharmonischen Gesellschaft in Hamburg'), Op. 46: Allegro tranquillo
Symphony No. 2 in E flat major ('Der philharmonischen Gesellschaft in Hamburg'), Op. 46: Tarantella. Molto allegro e con fuoco
Symphony No. 2 in E flat major ('Der philharmonischen Gesellschaft in Hamburg'), Op. 46: Notturno. Andante
Symphony No. 2 in E flat major ('Der philharmonischen Gesellschaft in Hamburg'), Op. 46: Finale. Poco animato e sempre pi? - Allegro
Track Listings (8) - Disc #2
Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Mirjam'), Op. 54: Allegro ma non troppo ('In der Knechtschaft')
Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Mirjam'), Op. 54: Molto adagio ('Mirjams Gesang')
Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Mirjam'), Op. 54: Molto vivace ('Die Flucht')
Symphony No. 3 in C minor ('Mirjam'), Op. 54: Allegro con brio ('Freiheit; Sieges- und Freudenges?nge')
Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 62: Allegro
Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 62: Andante sostenuto
Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 62: Vivace scherzando e con grazia
Symphony No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 62: Allegro con spirito e giocoso
Ddd. Lost in the Imposing Shadow of his Great Contemporary and Friend, Johannes Brahms, Friedrich Gernsheim Deserves an Appropriate Role in Musichistory and his Most Important Works Ought to Be Revived. This is a Recording... more » of his Four Symphonies Conducted by Siegfried Kohler.« less
Ddd. Lost in the Imposing Shadow of his Great Contemporary and Friend, Johannes Brahms, Friedrich Gernsheim Deserves an Appropriate Role in Musichistory and his Most Important Works Ought to Be Revived. This is a Recording of his Four Symphonies Conducted by Siegfried Kohler.
CD Reviews
Unknown Genius
Paul Grainger | Hassall Grove, New South Wales Australia | 07/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As soon as Symphony No1 commenced I knew here was music by a genius. The texture, the working of themes and the superb command of the orchestra reveals a composer on a par with Schuman and Brahms. Why has the man been so ignored ? Buy this and you will experience one the great moments in symphonic music.The orchestra and Conductor deserve special thanks for their superb rendition of these truelly great works.A MUST buy for any classical music lover."
Exhilarating, astounding, amazing
I. J. J. Nieuwland | Amsterdam | 01/15/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you like to delve into hitherto little-know regions of the repertoire, you are often pleasantly surprised by what you find and dismayed at the lack of exposure of so much great music. Over the years, I discovered Joachim Raff, I found Joseph Marx and Sergei Taneyev. However, I set out with little expectations when I'd purchased this set for a ridiculously low amount of money. I had never, ever expected to find anything of the quality that is present on this set. This is not just great music, it is testimony to an inspired, inventive and incredibly talented composer whose neglect should end here and now. Gernsheims acquiantance with Brahms and their different musical fates are recalled in the (excellent) liner notes. Whilst Brahms supremacy is easily explained from historical reasons, the difference between his fame and Gernsheim's obscurity is altogether more difficult to fathom if you listen to the latter's work. All four of these symphonies are better than Brahms' third, and I would rate Gernsheim's second symphony above any of Brahms's (don't be fooled by its rather prosaic-sounding title). Köhler and the Rheinland-Pfalz Orchestra play impeccably and do these complicated scores full justice."
Neglected Masterpieces?
classicalmusiclover | manchester, ct | 03/02/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While I am not quite as enthusiastic as some of the other reviewers, I certainly enjoyed listening to these previously unknown (to me) works. Yes, there is a relationship between the form and content of Brahms and Gernsheim. But, to my unsophisticated ears, Gernsheim's textures are lighter and his rhetoric less convincing. The overall listening experience is that of "lite" Brahms. Nevertheless, highly recommended as a refreshing change to hear a composer who is obviously a major "minor master.""
First symphonies in the shadow of Beethoven
D. M. Brokaw | 04/27/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Of Brahms' first symphony (1876), with its (too?) striking similarity to Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" theme in the fourth movement, Johannes defended against his critics: "Any horse's arse knows that!" In a more subtle way, Friedrich Gernsheim's first symphony (1875) echoes the purely orchestral textures and figurations of Beethoven, but without cashing in on a tune that everybody could already whistle. I love Brahms too- don't make faces now. Is it a wonder then, that these two men who were friends premiered their 1st symphonies 1 year apart, both of which grappled with the legacy of writing a symphony after Beethoven? Well, Gernsheim's orchestral writing is just as polyphonically well-crafted and gratifying to repeated listening as Brahms, and I can't understand his neglect. His music is completely accessible, structurally sound, and musically interesting and not to mention the fact it sounds like Brahms wrote 4 more symphonies with little hints of Beethoven: a perfect recipe!!!
The four symphonies fully deserve equal time with Brahms, and I hope to hear him occassionally in the concert hall in place of all those other musical chestnuts. (Incidentally, I was reading that Cladio Arrau used to play some piano pieces of Gernsheim's in his early touring days.) No major issues with this recording. Bottom line: if you like Brahms, Gernsheim deserves a place in your collection."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1