Friedrich Gernsheim: Symphonies Nos. 1-4

Track Listings
1. Symphony No. 1 In G Min, Op.32- I. Allegro Moderato    
2. Ii. Larghetto    
3. Iii. Scherzo. Vivace    
4. Iv. Allegro Moderato Assai    
5. Symphony No. 2 In E Flat Maj, Op.46- I. Allegro Tranquillo    
6. Ii. Tarantella. Molto Allegro E Con Fuoco    
7. Iii. Notturno. Andante    
8. Iv. Finale. Poco Animato E Sempre Piu- Allegro    
9. Symphony No. 3 In C Min, Op.54 -Mirjam-- I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo    
10. Ii. Molto Adagio    
11. Iii. Molto Vivace    
12. Iv. Allegro Con Brio    
13. Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Maj, Op.62- I. Allegro    
14. Ii. Andante Sostenuto    
15. Iii. Vivace Scherzando E Con Grazia    
16. Iv. Allegro Con Spirito E Giocoso    

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Ddd. Lost in the Imposing Shadow of his Great Contemporary and Friend, Johannes Brahms, Friedrich Gernsheim Deserves an Appropriate Role in Musichistory and his Most Important Works Ought to Be Revived. This is a Recording of his Four Symphonies Conducted by Siegfried Kohler.

Friedrich Gernsheim: Symphonies Nos. 1-4, Music, Friedrich Gernsheim, Siegfried Koehler, Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, Classical, Orchestral & Symphonic, Symphonic, Symphony
Friedrich Gernsheim: Symphonies Nos. 1-4
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • First symphonies in the shadow of Beethoven
  • Neglected Masterpieces?
  • Of the Highest Quality
  • Exhilarating, astounding, amazing
  • Unknown Genius
 Friedrich Gernsheim: Symphonies Nos. 1-4

Manufacturer: Arte Nova Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
ClassicalClassical | Imports | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000023ZLY
Release Date: 2002-10-29

Tracks:

  1. Symphony No. 1 In G Min, Op.32- I. Allegro Moderato
  2. Ii. Larghetto
  3. Iii. Scherzo. Vivace
  4. Iv. Allegro Moderato Assai
  5. Symphony No. 2 In E Flat Maj, Op.46- I. Allegro Tranquillo
  6. Ii. Tarantella. Molto Allegro E Con Fuoco
  7. Iii. Notturno. Andante
  8. Iv. Finale. Poco Animato E Sempre Piu- Allegro
  9. Symphony No. 3 In C Min, Op.54 -Mirjam-- I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
  10. Ii. Molto Adagio
  11. Iii. Molto Vivace
  12. Iv. Allegro Con Brio
  13. Symphony No. 4 In B Flat Maj, Op.62- I. Allegro
  14. Ii. Andante Sostenuto
  15. Iii. Vivace Scherzando E Con Grazia
  16. Iv. Allegro Con Spirito E Giocoso

Album Details

Ddd. Lost in the Imposing Shadow of his Great Contemporary and Friend, Johannes Brahms, Friedrich Gernsheim Deserves an Appropriate Role in Musichistory and his Most Important Works Ought to Be Revived. This is a Recording of his Four Symphonies Conducted by Siegfried Kohler.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars First symphonies in the shadow of Beethoven.......2006-04-27

Of Brahms' first symphony (1876), with its (too?) striking similarity to Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" theme in the fourth movement, Johannes defended against his critics: "Any horse's arse knows that!" In a more subtle way, Friedrich Gernsheim's first symphony (1875) echoes the purely orchestral textures and figurations of Beethoven, but without cashing in on a tune that everybody could already whistle. I love Brahms too- don't make faces now. Is it a wonder then, that these two men who were friends premiered their 1st symphonies 1 year apart, both of which grappled with the legacy of writing a symphony after Beethoven? Well, Gernsheim's orchestral writing is just as polyphonically well-crafted and gratifying to repeated listening as Brahms, and I can't understand his neglect. His music is completely accessible, structurally sound, and musically interesting and not to mention the fact it sounds like Brahms wrote 4 more symphonies with little hints of Beethoven: a perfect recipe!!!

The four symphonies fully deserve equal time with Brahms, and I hope to hear him occassionally in the concert hall in place of all those other musical chestnuts. (Incidentally, I was reading that Cladio Arrau used to play some piano pieces of Gernsheim's in his early touring days.) No major issues with this recording. Bottom line: if you like Brahms, Gernsheim deserves a place in your collection.

5 out of 5 stars Neglected Masterpieces?.......2006-03-02

While I am not quite as enthusiastic as some of the other reviewers, I certainly enjoyed listening to these previously unknown (to me) works. Yes, there is a relationship between the form and content of Brahms and Gernsheim. But, to my unsophisticated ears, Gernsheim's textures are lighter and his rhetoric less convincing. The overall listening experience is that of "lite" Brahms. Nevertheless, highly recommended as a refreshing change to hear a composer who is obviously a major "minor master."

5 out of 5 stars Of the Highest Quality .......2005-09-24

I am compelled to write this review today not just because I recently listened to the 3rd symphony of Friedrich Gernsheim and find it to be of the highest quality, but because I am also struck by the uncanny resemblance to Brahms. Many Romantic-era composers have had aspects of their music compared to his, but in Gernsheim I hear more than just the sharing of a musical milieu. The very shape of the musical phrases, the orchestration (though slightly more adventurous), the modulation of dynamics, and the process of thematic development are highly like that of Brahms. Not since I first listened to the symphony of Hans Rott have I been so surprised by the sameness of the music produced by two composers, though on repeated hearings of the former I find less similarity to Mahler than on early listenings.
Brahms is one of those composers who has made me so glad to have invested my time in actively listening to classical music. Despite being bored by the highly-regarded 2nd symphony, I consider his 1st, 3rd, and 4th to be among the greatest of musical compositions. And here comes Gernsheim, using not just the language of Brahms, but very nearly producing music of equivalent quality. Given that he produced 4 symphonies, it is like discovering Brahms all over again. Recommended without reservation.

5 out of 5 stars Exhilarating, astounding, amazing.......2004-01-15

If you like to delve into hitherto little-know regions of the repertoire, you are often pleasantly surprised by what you find and dismayed at the lack of exposure of so much great music. Over the years, I discovered Joachim Raff, I found Joseph Marx and Sergei Taneyev. However, I set out with little expectations when I'd purchased this set for a ridiculously low amount of money. I had never, ever expected to find anything of the quality that is present on this set.

This is not just great music, it is testimony to an inspired, inventive and incredibly talented composer whose neglect should end here and now. Gernsheims acquiantance with Brahms and their different musical fates are recalled in the (excellent) liner notes. Whilst Brahms supremacy is easily explained from historical reasons, the difference between his fame and Gernsheim's obscurity is altogether more difficult to fathom if you listen to the latter's work. All four of these symphonies are better than Brahms' third, and I would rate Gernsheim's second symphony above any of Brahms's (don't be fooled by its rather prosaic-sounding title).

Köhler and the Rheinland-Pfalz Orchestra play impeccably and do these complicated scores full justice.

5 out of 5 stars Unknown Genius.......2003-07-10

As soon as Symphony No1 commenced I knew here was music by a genius. The texture, the working of themes and the superb command of the orchestra reveals a composer on a par with Schuman and Brahms. Why has the man been so ignored ? Buy this and you will experience one the great moments in symphonic music.

The orchestra and Conductor deserve special thanks for their superb rendition of these truelly great works.

A MUST buy for any classical music lover.
Friedrich Gernsheim: Symphonies Nos. 1-4
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Friedrich Gernsheim: Symphonies Nos. 1-4

    Manufacturer: Arte Nova
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B0000DEP2E
    Release Date: 1999-01-01

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