Joseph Swensen
Sinfonia in B
- Type CD
- Label Signum Classics
- UPC 0635212019122
- Catalog number SIGCD 191
- Release date 01 January 2012
About the album
Sinfonia in B is Joseph Swensen’s orchestration of the little-known original version of Brahms’ B major piano trio. In Swensen’s own words: “Completed in 1854, it is the largest and arguably the most important of Brahms’ published early works, yet it remains nearly unknown to most musicians and music-lovers alike … The original Opus 8 is, for me, intriguing for many reasons. Not only is it a work of extraordinary quality and emotional depth, written by a composer just 21 years of age, but it is a quintessential example of Brahms’ ultra-romantic and forward looking early style.”
This album also explores the young Brahms’ connection with Robert and Clara Schumann, with orchestrations and performances (as a violin soloist) by Swensen of miniature works by both composers – as well as extracts from the ‘F-A-E’ sonata (a joint composition by Brahms, Robert Schumann and Joseph Joachim based on the motto ‘Frei aber einsam’ / ‘free but lonely’ – Joachim’s personal motto).
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11Sinfonia in B: i. Allegro con moto
20:48 -
12Sinfonia in B: ii. Scherzo: Allegro molto
07:09 -
13Sinfonia in B: iii. Adagio non troppo
09:03 -
14Sinfonia in B: iv. Finale: Allegro molto agitato
10:44 -
153 Romances Op.22: i. Andante molto
02:52 -
163 Romances Op.22: ii. Allegretto - mit zartem Vortage
02:41 -
173 Romances Op.22: iii. Leidenschaftlich schnell
03:57 -
18Intermezzo from F-A-E Sonata
02:18 -
19Scherzo from F-A-E Sonata
05:55