Track Listing

1. Oboe Concerto No. 1 in F major, Op. 37: 1. Allegro
2. Oboe Concerto No. 1 in F major, Op. 37: 2. Adagio
3. Oboe Concerto No. 1 in F major, Op. 37: 3. Rondo. Allegro
4. Oboe Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 52: 1. Allegro
5. Oboe Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 52: 2. Adagio
6. Oboe Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 52: 3. Rondo
7. Variations for oboe & orchestra in F major (arranged from Nocturne, Op. 99), Op. 102

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53419 in Music
• Released on: 1999-09-15
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
This CD of oboe concertos breathes fresh life into music of two classical-era composers whose reputations once rivaled those of their contemporaries, Mozart and Beethoven. Krommer achieved a position in Vienna that eluded both Mozart and Beethoven: imperial court composer to the Hapsburg dynasty. He wrote more than 300 works, and his music was published in Denmark, England, France, Germany, Italy, and even the US. Modern scholars view his solo concertos for wind instruments as his most distinctively original achievements. In the late classical era, the presence of a significant number of virtuosic oboe players and new oboe designs opened the way for composers to write interesting, challenging music for the instrument. The solo parts in Krommer's oboe concertos offer rapid passage-work and wide leaps between high and low notes reminiscent of Mozart opera arias. A child-prodigy pianist who studied briefly with Mozart, Hummel went on to succeed Haydn as music director for Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy. He maintained a long but stormy friendship with his intimidating rival, Beethoven. Hummel's Introduction, Theme, and Variations in F minor, Op. 102, exemplifies his position on the cusp of the classical and romantic eras. The darkly dramatic, expressive Adagio introduction leads to brighter, cheerier musical vistas. Oboist Klein says the performances on this CD seek to replicate the bright, open, high-volume sound that classical composers had in mind. Cedille's Ginsburg says he and engineer Konrad Strauss set out to achieve a more natural-sounding, equitable balance between orchestra and soloist, compared to recordings "where it sounds like the orchestra is in the next room."

Seattle Times
Full of jaw-dropping technical feats, these performances also showcase the sheer beauty of tone that is Klein's unique voice.

American Record Guide
Klein has a tone so sweet and delicate that you could snap it up between your fingers . . . This is a wonderful disc.

Customer Reviews

The Hummel selection surprisingly good
The name of Franz Krommer (1759-1831) is not exactly a high-recognition one, while that of Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778-1837) is only a bit more so. But together they wrote at least some lovely as is titled the Cedille Records release (CDR 90000 045). Actually the title is misleading, since the Krommer works are his "Concerto No. 1 in F" and "No. 2 in F," and the Hummel contribution is called "Introduction, Theme & Variations in F minor." The latter is by far the most interesting feature of this offering. Whereas the Krommer pieces follow the usual Allegro-Adagio-Rondo format, the 14-minute Hummel selection is surprisingly inventive and quite attractive melodically. But then again Hummel always seems to have something unexpected up his sleeve; and I can readily recommend the CD for this portion alone. Alex Klein is soloist with the Czech National Symphony under Paul Freeman, who allows Klein to add cadenzas to the first and third selections--and purists might carp that they include notes the oboes of the 19th century could not play. But I think the fine playing in general will make up for that bit of showmanship.