Hans Huber - Symphonies Nos. 4 & 8 (Jörg-Peter Weigle)

Information

Composer: Hans Huber

• (01) Symphony No. 8 in F major
• (05) Symphony No. 4 in A major 'Akademische'

Stuttgart Philharmonic Orchestra
Jörg-Peter Weigle, conductor

Date: 2006
Label: Sterling
http://www.sterlingcd.com/catalogue/cds1047.html

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Review

ARTISTIC QUALITY: 9 / SOUND QUALITY: 9

Hans Huber’s Eighth Symphony (1921) has been compared to Beethoven’s in its similarly joyous mood as well as for its identical key of F major. Indeed, right from the impressively cohesive first movement, the work is full of buoyant, life-affirming energy (Huber said he was constantly thinking “spring thoughts” while composing it) that Huber expresses through gorgeous tunes, fetching rhythms, and colorful orchestration. Given these three qualities, it’s not surprising that Dvorák comes to mind more than once during the course of this highly enjoyable work.

If anything, Symphony No. 4 is even more interesting by virtue of its unique orchestration. Scored for string orchestra, piano, and organ, and filled with lush, romantic melodies casting about in a quasi dramatic setting, the piece has a playfully serious character reminiscent of Saint-Säens. This is especially so in the finale, a highly original construction consisting of an introduction, passacaglia, and a set of clever variations. Both works receive excellent performances by the Stuttgart Philharmonic under Jörg-Peter Weigle’s masterful leadership. Sterling’s recording favors the high frequencies a bit too much, but otherwise it’s well balanced, with suitable dynamic impact.

-- Victor Carr Jr, ClassicsToday

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Hans Huber (28 June 1852 – 25 December 1921) was a Swiss composer. He was born in Eppenberg-Wöschnau (Canton of Solothurn) and studied at the Leipzig Conservatory, where his teachers included Oscar Paul. Returned to Basel in 1877, Huber obtained a post in the Conservatory there in 1889, then director from 1896 to 1918. Among his notable students were Hans Münch and Hermann Suter. Huber wrote in all nine symphonies, several concertos for violin, cello and piano, and five operas. He also wrote a set of 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 100, for piano four-hands in all the keys.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Huber_(composer)

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Jörg-Peter Weigle (born 1953 in Greifswald, Germany) is a German conductor and music professor. Weigle studied at the Hochschule für Musik "Hanns Eisler" (Berlin), and later participated in a conducting class with Kurt Masur. Weigle was conductor of the Neubrandenburg State Symphony Orchestra (1977-1980), Leipzig Radio Choir (1980-1988), Dresden Philharmonic (1986-1994), and Stuttgart Philharmonic (1995-2002). Since 2001, Weigle has been a professor of choir direction at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler, Berlin. On 1 April 2008, he became the school's rector.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B6rg-Peter_Weigle

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