George Onslow - Nonet; Grand Septet (Consortium Classicum)

Information

Composer: George Onslow

• (01) Nonet in A minor, Op. 77
• (05) Grand Septuor in B flat major, Op. 79

Consortium Classicum
Kornelia Brandkamp, flute
Gernot Schmalfuß, oboe (Septet)
Pavel Sokolov, oboe (Nonet)
Dieter Klöcker, clarinet
Jan Schroeder, horn
Helman Jung, bassoon (Nonet)
Albrecht Holder, bassoon (Septet)
Andreas Krecher, violin
Niklas Schwarz, viola
Armin Fromm, cello
Michinori Bunya, double bass (Septet)
Stefan Irmer, piano (Septet)

Date: 2008
Label: Musikproduktion Dabringhaus und Grimm

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Review

MDG's ongoing discography dedicated to George Onslow (1784-1853) has reached its fifth installment, and what a peach of a disc this is! Onslow had English and French noble blood running in his veins, and this was very evident in his cosmopolitan chamber works which were hugely popular.

Apart from his prowess as a composer, Onslow was also a prodigious pianist, and his performances were always well attended. Towards the end of his career he became enamoured with wind instruments, when technical advances aroused his interest in the genre.

The two works on this disc are the result of this keenness. The Nonet dates from 1846 and is dedicated to Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband. In the Septet, Onslow gives considerable priority to the piano and the piece can actually be considered as a "quasi" piano concerto. The music is steeped in the great romantic tradition and contains some astonishing ensemble writing brimming with great melodic invention.

The Consortium Classicum and Stefan Irmer rise to the occasion with dashing enthusiasm and their amazing sense of unison gives the music a freshness and vigour of an almost symphonic nature. The recording and presentation are top drawer as we have come to expect from MD&G.

-- Gerald Fenech, Classical Net

More reviews:
http://www.allmusic.com/album/george-onslow-nonet-grand-septuor-mw0001411116
https://www.amazon.com/Onslow-Nonet-Op-79-Septet/dp/B0016ORPPW

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George Onslow (27 July 1784 – 3 October 1853) was a French composer of English descent. His wealth, position and personal tastes allowed him to pursue a path unfamiliar to most of his French contemporaries, and more similar to that of his contemporary German romantic composers. Onslow was a prolific composer of chamber music (including 36 string quartets, 34 string quintets and 10 piano trios). He also wrote four symphonies, four operas and other works for piano and strings. Esteemed by many of the critics of his time, his reputation declined swiftly after his death and has only been revived in recent years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Onslow_(composer)

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The Consortium Classicum is a German chamber music ensemble. It was founded in 1966 by the clarinetist Dieter Klöcker with the aim of promoting and cultivating the chamber music of the classical and early romantic periods. The musicians play the standard repertoire with a variable line-up and also dedicate themselves to newly discovered pieces of music. The ensemble consists of soloists, music professors and members of well-known orchestras who have performed at numerous festivals at home and abroad. The ensemble also appeared in TV documentaries as well as award-winning CD recordings.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consortium_Classicum

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