Josef Schelb: Chamber Music, Volume Two
The Karlsruhe-based Josef Schelb (1894–1977) is one of the better-kept secrets of twentieth-century German music. His output was substantial: he lost most of his early music in a bombing raid in 1942, but – as if to make up for lost time – wrote some 150 more works after that. In the four chamber works recorded here Schelb’s contrapuntal mastery is given a bucolic twist under the influence of French Impressionism, the two traditions combining to invest these pieces with a freewheeling energy and downright sense of fun.
Stéphane Réty, flute (Tracks 1-9)
Nicolas Cock-Vassiliou, oboe (Tracks 10–12)
Isabelle Moretti, harp (Tracks 1–3)
Alexander Knaak, violin (Tracks 10–12)
Jean-Eric Soucy, viola (Tracks 1–3, 10–12)
Denis Zhdanov, cello (Tracks 7–12)
Roglit Ishay, piano (Tracks 4–9)
Listen To This Recording:
- I Andante pastorale
- II Molto vivace
- III Andante molto tranquillo: Tema con variazioni
- I Allegretto amabile
- II Andante tranquillo
- III Allegro mosso
- I Allegro giusto
- II Lento
- III Vivace
- I Allegretto moderato
- II Tranquillo
- III Vivace
Kammermusik for Flute, Viola and Harp (1948)
Sonata for Flute and Piano No. 3 (1971)
Trio for Flute, Cello and Piano (1961)
Quartet for Oboe, Violin, Viola and Cello (1953)
FIRST RECORDINGS
MusicWeb International :
‘Who knows, perhaps there is a whole school of Schelb impressionists in Germany but for now, for most of us, his voice is distinctive and, more to the point, attractive. That he makes common cause with the French impressionist school is remarkable.’
—Rob Barnett, MusicWeb International