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Reicha & Neukomm: Quintets / Stamic Quartet
Brilliant Classics

Reicha & Neukomm: Quintets / Stamic Quartet

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Details

Composer
Sigismund Ritter von Neukomm, Antonin Reicha
Artist
Stephan Siegenthaler
Format
CD
Label
Brilliant Classics
Released
Feb 16, 2024
Catalog #
BRI96596
UPC
5028421965963

About

Antonín Reicha and Sigismund Neukomm were contemporaries. Their time in Vienna, where both were students of Joseph Haydn, crossed from 1802–04, and from 1810 until the end of their lives both had their permanent residence in Paris. It is therefore easy to imagine that their paths crossed several times. In common was their striving to preserve the style of Viennese Classicism, fully expressed in the works presented here.

Antonín Reicha’s (1770–1836) Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet Op. 89 is typical of his balanced, classical style. Overall, the work reflects Reicha's affinity with opera. The harmonic turns are subordinated to the clarity of the vocal melody and the specifications of the form; everything has its place and its good order. Yet, in spite of this seemingly rigid formula there are surprising moments, for example the long syncopated melodic line at the beginning of the development in the first movement. The clarinet responds to the brash overture-like beginning of the opening theme with lyrically contrasting vocal garlands, whose motives are immediately imitated by the strings; an artfully counterpointing exchange between the instruments unfolds. What at first glance looks like the schematic application of well-learned compositional skill turns out on closer inspection (and repeated listening) to be a successful musical testimony to its time with many hidden and sophisticated ideas.

In Sigismund Neukomm’s (1778–1858) Clarinet Quintet Op. 8, published in 1809, one can hear his desire to manifest admiration for his ‘three-leaf clover’ of influences: Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. In its entirety, Neukomm's Clarinet Quintet radiates more noble elegance than original innovation, and one can well imagine that this expression corresponded perfectly to the composer’s own attitude to life.

Tracklist 8 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegro 10:37
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro
    Duration
    10:37
    Composer
    Anton Reicha
    Performer
    Stephan Siegenthaler
    Ensemble
    Stamic Quartet
  2. 2 II. Andante 05:37
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Andante
    Duration
    05:37
    Composer
    Anton Reicha
    Performer
    Stephan Siegenthaler
    Ensemble
    Stamic Quartet
  3. 3 III. Menuetto: Allegro 03:36
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Menuetto: Allegro
    Duration
    03:36
    Composer
    Anton Reicha
    Performer
    Stephan Siegenthaler
    Ensemble
    Stamic Quartet
  4. 4 IV. Finale: Allegretto 06:21
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Finale: Allegretto
    Duration
    06:21
    Composer
    Anton Reicha
    Performer
    Stephan Siegenthaler
    Ensemble
    Stamic Quartet
  5. 5 I. Adagio - Allegro 10:20
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Adagio - Allegro
    Duration
    10:20
    Composer
    Sigismund Ritter von Neukomm
    Performer
    Stephan Siegenthaler
    Ensemble
    Stamic Quartet
  6. 6 II. Menuetto: Allegro molto 04:04
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Menuetto: Allegro molto
    Duration
    04:04
    Composer
    Sigismund Ritter von Neukomm
    Performer
    Stephan Siegenthaler
    Ensemble
    Stamic Quartet
  7. 7 III. Theme russe: Poco Adagio 05:18
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Theme russe: Poco Adagio
    Duration
    05:18
    Composer
    Sigismund Ritter von Neukomm
    Performer
    Stephan Siegenthaler
    Ensemble
    Stamic Quartet
  8. 8 IV. Allegro moderato 06:21
    Track
    8
    Title
    IV. Allegro moderato
    Duration
    06:21
    Composer
    Sigismund Ritter von Neukomm
    Performer
    Stephan Siegenthaler
    Ensemble
    Stamic Quartet