Richard Stöhr: Orchestral Music, Volume One: Music for String Orchestra
These two works for string orchestra were composed on either side of the flight of the Viennese composer Richard Stöhr (1874–1967) from occupied Austria to the USA, and from prominence and danger to liberty and obscurity, and they reflect the change in his circumstances: the Concerto in the Old Style is expansive, witty, energetic and endlessly good-natured, whereas the Second Suite is introspective, understated and deeply felt. These first recordings allow the discovery of two major additions to the repertoire for strings; the Second Suite is also one of the last grand statements of late Romanticism.
Agnieszka Kopacka, piano (Tracks 1–4)
Sinfonia Varsovia
Ian Hobson, conductor
Listen To This Recording:
- I Intrata: Allegro giusto
- II Quasi Sarabande und Scherzo: Andante religioso
- III Burleske und Aria: Allegretto scherzando
- IV Introduction und Finale: Grave – Tempo di allegro – Più lento e maestoso – Tempo des ersten Satzes
- I Andante maestoso
- II Molto vivace
- III Adagio con espressione
- IV Allegro leggiero e scherzando
- V Introduction (Fuge) und Finale: Andante – Allegro con spirito
Concert im alten Stil for strings, piano and percussion, Op. 68 (1937)
Suite No. 2 in A minor for string orchestra, Op. 120 (1947)
FIRST RECORDINGS
WTJU :
‘But Stohr’s music isn’t hard to understand. And it’s worth knowing — as Toccata Classics has shown. […] Stohr was a consummate craftsman, and his orchestral works are gorgeous. […]
The Sinfonia Varsovia directed by Ian Hobson has a fine sound. They play with real warmth, enhancing the Romantic nature of Stohr’s music. […]
[Suite No.2 is] a personal work, never published, and never performed. But what an expression of joy. This is a work that should be immediately added to the string orchestra repertoire.
Toccata Classics titled this release “Volume One.” I’m looking forward to hearing more of Stohr’s orchestral music — especially his six symphonies! ‘
—Ralph Graves, WTJU
MusicWeb International :
‘The excellent recording, and precision and weight of the Sinfonia Varsovia’s string section, do [Suite for string orchestra] proud.
Undoubtedly significant is the very impressive neoclassical Concerto in the Old Style for Strings, Piano and Percussion. It makes an immediate impression with the strongly memorable main theme of the first movement, played with a rhythmic snap that reminds me of some of Bohuslav Martinů’s compositions. […]
This is a most welcome release. Toccata are to be complimented for bringing the composer’s work to public notice, yet another in their efforts in the recording studio. Ian Hobson, who has also featured in Toccata’s Martinů series, is also to be thanked for his work with the Sinfonia Varsovia, vividly recorded here. The presentation is excellent – a standard CD case with a 24-page booklet in English. It has full performer details and a very thorough essay on Stöhr’s life and music.’
—Jim Westhead, MusicWeb International