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'Sinfonia in B' is Joseph Swensen’s orchestration of the little-known original version of Brahms’ B major piano trio. In Swensen’s own words: “Completed in 1854, it is the largest and arguably the most important of Brahms’ published early works, yet it remains nearly unknown to most musicians and music-lovers alike … The original Opus 8 is, for me, intriguing for many reasons. Not only is it a work of extraordinary quality and emotional depth, written by a composer just 21 years of age, but it is a quintessential example of Brahms’ ultra-romantic and forward looking early style.”
This disc also explores the young Brahms’ connection with Robert and Clara Schumann, with orchestrations and performances (as a violin soloist) by Swensen of miniature works by both composers – as well as extracts from the ‘F-A-E’ sonata, a joint composition by Brahms, Robert Schumann and Joseph Joachim based on the motto ‘Frei aber einsam’ / ‘free but lonely’ – Joachim’s personal motto.
Brahms: Sinfonia in B
i) Allegro con moto
ii) Scherzo - allegro molto
iii) Adagio non troppo
iv) Finale - Allegro molto agitato
Schumann, Clara: Romances (3), Op. 22
i) Andante molto
ii) Allegretto
iii) Leidenschaftlich Schnell
Schumann: Sonata F.A.E. for Violin and Piano in A minor
Intermezzo
Brahms: Sonata F.A.E. for Violin and Piano in A minor
Scherzo
July 2012
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“Clear-textured orchestrations by Swensen, whose violin playing is terrific. Intriguing: the Brahms Trio's early version contains the Beethoven quote that Schumann used in his Fantasie in C.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
i) Allegro con moto
