NEW ON NAXOS | NOVEMBER 2023
Franz Joseph HAYDN (1732–1809) Baryton Trios, Vol. 2 Treasures from the Esterháza Palace Valencia Baryton Project – Matthew Baker, Baryton • Estevan de Almeida Reis, Viola • Alex Friedhoff, Cello
The city of Eisenstadt was the location of the Esterházy Court where Joseph Haydn was music director for 25 years. Prince Nikolaus commissioned Haydn to write trios for the baryton, an instrument on which the Prince had become proficient. The baryton is a bowed, stringed instrument similar to the viol but with extra plucked strings that can enable the performer to accompany themselves. For Nikolaus, Haydn wrote string trios of elegance, refinement and poise that encapsulate a rich variety of moods. Seldom performed or recorded, the baryton trios attest to Haydn’s limitless powers of invention in every medium. Key Feature:
8.574504 Release Date: 24 Nov 2023
Companion Titles – Franz Joseph Haydn, Composer 8.574188 | 8.557660 | 8.574391 | 8.574517
Volume 1 can be heard on 8.574188: ‘As a glimpse into a virtually unknown corner of Haydn’s vast output… this disc fulfils a valuable function’ ( BBC Music Magazine ). AllMusic. com also commented that this is a ‘superb recording by the Valencia Baryton Project of Haydn’s rarely heard baryton trios’.
Alex Friedhoff , Matthew Baker and Estevan de Almeida Reis
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Johannes BRAHMS (1833–1897) Complete Organ Works Eleven Chorale Preludes • Preludes and Fugues Konstantin Volostnov, Organ
In contrast to the grand scale and public profile of his orchestral and choral works, Johannes Brahms saw the organ as an instrument ‘for home use’, and one in which he confided his most intimate feelings. The earlier pieces were exercises in counterpoint inspired by Brahms’ friendship with Clara Schumann and, despite their academic titles, they are infused with distinctive musical ideas and lyrical expressiveness. The later Chorale Preludes with their themes of suffering and death can be seen as autobiographical, the elder Brahms seeking spiritual strength in the ‘pure style’ of the Protestant tradition.
Click to listen to Prelude and Fugue in A minor, WoO 9: Fugue
8.579147 Release Date: 10 Nov 2023
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Companion Titles – Recommended organ works 8.550824 | 8.574432 | 8.574366 | 8.572906
Felix MENDELSSOHN (1809–1847) Piano Rarities Early Sonatas • Songs Without Words Christopher Williams, Piano
Recent scholarship has brought numerous compositions by the excessively self-critical Mendelssohn into print and has ensured more accurate compositional dates for them. Many of these rare and little-known examples are encountered on this album. The title Lieder ohne Worte (‘Songs without Words’) may have mystified some contemporaries but their refinement and beauty are obvious as is their wide emotional range. The two youthful sonatas are astonishingly mature, even in the allusions to Beethoven. Mendelssohn’s humour and quirkiness can also be heard in this vibrant selection of seldom encountered piano pieces.
8.574509 Release Date: 24 Nov 2023
Click to listen to Piano Sonata in F minor, MWV U23: I. Allegro
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Companion Titles – Felix Mendelssohn, Composer 8.550453 | 8.550939 | 8.553541 | 8.573946
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