Adolf Busch: Orchestral Works, Volume One
Long celebrated as one of the finest violinists in history and the leader of an exemplary string quartet, Adolf Busch (1891–1952) is slowly being discovered also as a major composer, with a style close to that of his good friend Max Reger. As with Reger, Busch combines effortless counterpoint, warm harmonies, a strong sense of orchestral colour and an ear for a good tune – as witness the five works to be heard here, four of them in their first recordings and the other in its first modern recording.
Lisa Wittig, soprano
BuschKollegium
Ulrich Wagner, conductor
Listen To This Recording:
Divertimento for 13 Solo Instruments, Op. 30 (1925) (17:40)
- I. Alla marcia (1:37)
- II. Andante (3:04)
- III. Scherzo (4:30)
- IV. Presto (1:04)
- V. Andante cantabile (3:05)
- VI. Allegro con spirito (4:20)
Variations for Small Orchestra on a Theme of Franz Schubert, Op. 2 (1009, orch. 1910)* ** (11:00)
- Theme: Allegretto quasi Andantino (0:45)
- Var. 1: Langsamer als das Tempo des Themas (0:51)
- Var. 2: Doppelt so rasch (0:34)
- Var. 3: Andante (1:28)
- Var. 4: Allegro (non troppo) – (0:39)
- Var. 5: Allegretto (L’istesso tempo) (0:45)
- Var. 6: Allegretto (0:52)
- Var. 7: Andantino – (1:18)
- Var. 8: Tranquillo (1:46)
- Var. 9: Vivace (2:02)
Five Songs for high voice and chamber orchestra, Op. 11b (1919-20)* ** (9:19)
- No. 1 Das Leben draussen ist verrauschet (Eichendorff) (2:37)
- No. 2 Wie rauscht so sacht (Eichendorff) (1:37)
- No. 3 Der Einsame (Wang-Seng-Yu) (2:03)
- No. 4 Der Mond steigt aufwärts (Sao-Han) (1:30)
- No. 5 Wenn schlanke Lilien wandelten (Gottfried Keller) (1:32)
Variations on a Theme of W.A. Mozart for Orchestra, Op. 41 (1928)* ** (11:56)
- Thema: Andante grazioso (0:53)
- Var. 1: Un poco più adagio (0:35)
- Var. 2: Molto adagio – (1:45)
- Var. 3: Allegro vivace e amabile (0:35)
- Var. 4: Andante tranquillo (1:10)
- Var. 5: Molto tranquillo (0:38)
- Var. 6: Vivace assai, quasi Presto (1:26)
- Var. 7: Presto – (0:31)
- Var. 8: Andante sostenuto (1:32)
- Finale: Molto vivace – Andantino grazioso (Tempo del Tema) (2:51)
- Capriccio for Small Orchestra, Op. 46 (1931)* ** (10:36)
*First Recordings
**Live
MusicWeb International :
‘As noted, four of the five works are heard in first recordings and these four were all made live in concert. It’s a tribute to the ensemble’s quality that it makes such a fine show of Busch’s largely unknown compositions and does so in such good recorded sound as well.’
—Jonathan Woolf, MusicWeb International
WTJU :
‘Lisa Wittig sings with a warm tone. She delivers the text with clarity and subtle expression. For me, these were miniature masterworks.
Ulrich Wagner conducts the BuschKollegium. The ensemble has a nice, compact sound. The soloists of the Divertimento are especially fine. Their chemistry elevates the music even further.
Very much looking forward to volume two’
—Ralph Graves, WTJU
Fanfare :
‘BuschKollegium is an ensemble formed in Karlsrühe devoted to the music of Adolf Busch, and its members play with vitality throughout. […]
[The Divertimento] is scored for strings, winds, and timpani and is very well written for the instruments […].
In short, this is a pleasant disc […]. Excellent recorded sound and very informative program notes round things.’
—Mark Novak, Fanfare
American Record Guide :
‘[Divertimento’s] second movement has a complexity worthy of Reger, though it’s more transparent. The composer draws a variety of ingenious colors from the small ensemble. […]
The 5th [variation of The Schubert Variations] is especially attractive in how the variation itself forms a fine new melody, and the 6th has particularly rich counterpoint. The robust finale suddenly comes to a halt before a calm restatement of the theme makes a serene conclusion.
Busch’s variations are compact and charming, combining emotional appeal with headwork. They culminate in a finale rife with smart modulations. […]
The Capriccio—the only work previously recorded—is full of good-natured neoclassical bustle.
The performances are adept in animation and spirit. In the songs, Lisa Wittig’s voice is clear in tone and accurate in pitch. She also enunciates the texts well; a German speaker wouldn’t need the printed verses. The recorded sound is close-up and resonant. Toccata’s customary first-rate notes in clude texts and translations. Forlagniappe, they also reprint Donald Francis Tovey’s excellent essay on the Capriccio.’
—Roger Hecht, American Record Guide