AMSTERDAM BRIDGE ENSEMBLE
Jacobien Rozemond – Violin
Doris Hochscheid – Cello
Frans van Ruth – Piano
This new album will offers four compositions by Hendrik Andriessen, an outstanding Dutch composer from the past, whose works, rooted in the romantic music of César Franck and Gabriel Fauré, reveal at the same time his per- sonal friendships with modernists like Albert Roussel and Darius Milhaud.
Tracklist
Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.1.
SONATA FOR CELLO AND PIANO - Andante tranquillo
05:10
2.
SONATA FOR CELLO AND PIANO - Allegro
03:55
3.
SONATA FOR CELLO AND PIANO - Arioso (Adagio)
02:58
4.
SONATA FOR CELLO AND PIANO - Molto Allegro, ma gracioso
04:09
5.
SONATA FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO - Allegro - Adagio - Allegro moderato
04:15
6.
SONATA FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO - Adagio
03:45
7.
SONATA FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO - Allegretto leggiero
03:09
8.
THREE INVENTIONS FOR VIOLIN AND CELLO -Adagio
05:11
9.
THREE INVENTIONS FOR VIOLIN AND CELLO - Andante quasi allegretto
03:14
10.
THREE INVENTIONS FOR VIOLIN AND CELLO - Molto vivace
01:46
11.
TRIO FOR PIANO, VIOLIN AND CELLO - Andante con molto espressivo
06:11
12.
TRIO FOR PIANO, VIOLIN AND CELLO - Presto, con spirito
06:26
13.
TRIO FOR PIANO, VIOLIN AND CELLO - Tempo sostenuto ma appassionato
07:40
Total time: 00:57:49
Cobra Records
73 albums
Hendrik Andriessen (1892-1981) is not so nearly as well known as he should be outside his home country of The Netherlands. His was a towering musical intellect, ever inventive, ever challenging. These early chamber works from the 1930s are a treasure. Not to be confused with his composer son, Louis Andriessen, the elder Andriessen tends to stay in a more tonal musical landscape, but one that is unmistakably modern.
One easily hears the influences of French composers in these pieces, particularly the Sonata for Cello and Piano which flows melodically and poetically. But dare not to place H. Andriessen in a box too small. Simply listen to the Violin Sonata written some six years after the Cello Sonata. This is music of challenge and contradiction with its striking contrasts of sounds. While this latter piece is arguably more simplistic in composition, it has a bite to it, which I so greatly relish. The Inventions (1937) and the Piano Trio (1939) assume a darker tone, particularly the Trio.
Over the twelve year span in which these four works were composed, we hear a remarkable range of emotional content and creative intensity. These are works to be explored, revisited, and savored. While very satisfying simply on first hearing, these are works that do not fully unfold easily. Plan to invest a bit of time relistening to fully hear what Andriessen communicates in these highly varied works. The effort will be most well rewarded!
All of these works are beautifully rendered, with true passion and commitment, by the Amsterdam Bridge Ensemble. They clearly have an affinity for the music and plumb the depths well. All of which is enhanced by the excellent recorded sound provided by recording engineer Tom Peeters. The sound quality Tom Peeters provides is intimate, warm, and highly resolved. As is usual with his efforts, we are given the gift of being in the immediate presence of the musicians, as in a live recital. Chamber music recordings simply do not get any better than this. Music, performance, sound quality combine in this album for a treasurable experience. I am so pleased to have found this recording.
Rushton, April 2022
Rush Paul (verified owner) –