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Niels Wilhelm Gade: Noveletter for strygere
1. Novellette No. 1 in F, Op. 53 (1874): I. Andantino – Allegro vivace e grazioso 06:12
2. Novellette No. 1 in F, Op. 53 (1874): II. Scherzo: Moderato 05:09
3. Novellette No. 1 in F, Op. 53 (1874): III. Andantino con moto 04:08
4. Novellette No. 1 in F, Op. 53 (1874): IV. Allegro vivace 03:58
5. Novellette No. 2 in E, Op. 58 (1883–6): I. Andante – Allegro ma non troppo 07:37
6. Novellette No. 2 in E, Op. 58 (1883–6): II. Intermezzo: Allegro moderato 04:38
7. Novellette No. 2 in E, Op. 58 (1883–6): III. Andante espressivo 06:00
8. Novellette No. 2 in E, Op. 58 (1883–6): IV. Finale: Allegro con brio 05:05
Århus Chamber Orchestra
Ove Vedsten Larsen, dirigent
About this release
After Buxtehude in the 17th century and prior to Nielsen in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Niels Gade (1817-1890) was the most famous Danish composer. His extraordinary 1st Symphony of 1843 was premiered in Leipzig at the Gewandhaus conducted by Mendelssohn, who promptly offered Gade a post at his new conservatory. Gade later conducted the premiers of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto and Schumann's Piano Concerto. His music (he composed 8 symphonies, the 5th having an important piano part, a violin concerto and a Spring Fantasy for piano, orchestra and voices and a quantity of chamber and orchestra works) is superbly crafted, romantic but with a classical poise and form. The influence of his friends Mendelssohn and Schumann can be detetected, but there is a very definate Scandinavian feel to his music. Schumann wrote that he could detect 'the lovely beechwoods of Denmark' in Gade's music.
The 2 Novelletten are among his most successful works. Beautifully crafted, elegant and warm they are rewarding discoveries, and a good introduction to this neglected but important figure in 19th century Scandinavian music.
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