Richard STÖHR: Chamber Music, Volume Four
Like Korngold, Toch, Schoenberg, Zeisl and Zemlinsky, Richard Stöhr (1874–1967) was another Austrian composer driven into American exile by the Nazis. His generous output of music, being rediscovered at last in these Toccata Classics recordings, includes seven symphonies, much chamber music, songs, and choral and piano pieces. These chamber works, from his first years in the United States, show him in surprisingly relaxed mood, the Viennese lyricism of his native city maintained in his US refuge.
Stefan Koch, cello
Conor Nelson, (Tracks flute 1 – 4)
Velda Kelly, (Tracks violin 1 – 4)
Priscilla Johnson, (Tracks violin 5 – 9)
Judith Teasdle, (Tracks violin 5 – 9)
Susan Schreiber, (Tracks viola 5 – 9)
Mary Siciliano (Tracks 1 – 4)
Listen To This Recording:
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Suite for Flute, Violin, Cello and Piano, Op. 76 (1942)
- I Prelude: Grave, Poco agitato
- II Waltz: Tempo di Valse
- III Morning Devotion in the Woods: Quasi recitativo – Andante religioso
- IV Introduction and Finale: Andante – Allegro (Doppio movimento)
- I Allegro moderato
- II Scherzo: Presto
- III Adagio mesto
- IV Allegro giusto
- II Serenade: Andante sostenuto, ma grazioso
String Quartet No. 2 in E flat, Op. 86 (1942)
String Quartet No. 3 in A minor, Op. 92 (1943)
First Recordings
Fanfare :
‘The music on this release all comes from 1942–43, shortly after Stöhr had settled in the United States after fleeing Nazi Germany. You would not know that by listening to this lovely, untroubled music, nor would you likely guess that these are 20th-century works given their solid diatonicity and ardent Romanticism.’
—Fanfare
MusicWeb International :
‘The performances are attractive and dedicated.[…] Recorded over a five-year period, the location remains constant.
As is invariably the case with Toccata, the notes are excellent and two of the three mini essays are written by the performers involved, which allows an insider’s viewpoint.’
—Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International
Classical Lost and Found :
‘All are first recordings, which further show what a master he was at creating and manipulating interrelated themes. […]
This release features talented, Canadian flautist Conor Nelson as well as six superb US musicians, namely violinists Velda Kelly, Priscilla Johnson and Judith Teasdle, violist Susan Schreiber, cellist Stefan Koch, plus pianist Mary Siciliano. Nelson, Kelly, Koch and Siciliano deliver a captivating performance of the Suite. It’s followed by sensitive accounts of the Quartets, where Mr. Koch is joined by Mss. Johnson, Teasdle and Schreiber.’
—Bob McQuiston, Classical Lost and Found