Hans Rott - Orchestral Works, Vol. 1 (Christopher Ward)

Information

Composer: Hans Rott

1. Hamlet Overture
2. Suite in E major: I. Präludium. Nicht zu langsam
3. Suite in E major: II. Langsam
4. Prelude to 'Julius Caesar'
5. Orchestra Prelude in E major
6. Suite in B flat major: II. Scherzo
7. Suite in B flat major: IV. Finale. Sehr schnell
8. Pastoral Prelude in F major

Gürzenich-Orchester Köln

Christopher Ward, conductor

Date: 2020

Label: Capriccio

http://capriccio.at/hans-rott-complete-orchestral-works-vol-1

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Review

In addition to the symphony that so markedly influenced Gustav Mahler, Hans Rott (1858-84) composed a number of other orchestral works during his short life, most of which have been recorded before but not presented together, as they are on this absorbing Capriccio release. The one piece that’s entirely new here is the Hamlet Overture, which Rott commenced in 1876 but never completed. However, the existence of an orchestral draft of the first half and a piano reduction of the second has allowed the musicologist Johannes Volker Schmidt to make a detailed and effective reconstruction. It’s a striking piece, clearly influenced by Mendelssohn and Wagner but notably stylish and assured for a work by an 18-year-old composer.

The author of the booklet note is slightly dismissive about the Orchestra Prelude and the two Suites, both of which were written as academic exercises while Rott was a student at the Vienna Conservatory. It’s true the Prelude is an inconsequential piece but the suites are imbued with personality and, in the case of the fugue that closes the Suite in B flat, a boisterous sense of humour. By contrast, the Prelude to ‘Julius Caesar’ is highly dramatic, Rott’s enthusiasm for Wagner once again making itself felt. Composed between 1877 and 1880, the Pastoral Prelude is among the very last works that Rott completed. The atmospheric first half, which contains hints of Rott’s teacher Bruckner, leads to an extrovert fugue and an unashamedly celebratory conclusion, capped with multiple cymbal crashes.

Christopher Ward and his players deliver polished and enthusiastic performances of Rott’s scores and the recording is satisfyingly detailed and expansive. The booklet note is informative, although the English version of the original German text is occasionally unidiomatic and not as easy to follow as it could be.

-- Christian Hoskins, Gramophone

More reviews:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2020/Sep/Rott-orchestral-v1-C5408.htm

https://www.classicstoday.com/review/hans-rotts-unexceptional-orchestral-works-vol-1-video-review/

https://www.thewholenote.com/index.php/booksrecords2/classicalabeyond/31119-hans-rott-orchestral-works-vol-1-2-gurzenich-orchester-koeln-christopher-ward

https://www.amazon.com/Orchestral-Works-Gurzenich-Orchester-Koln/dp/B089CKB5YM

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Hans Rott (1 August 1858 – 25 June 1884) was an Austrian composer and organist. He studied piano with Leopold Landskron and Josef Dachs, harmony with Hermann Graedener, counterpoint and composition with Franz Krenn, and organ with Anton Bruckner. After completing his symphony in 1880 and failed to get it played, Rott was brought down by mental illness. He was committed to a mental hospital in 1881, and sank into depression. Rott died of tuberculosis in 1884, aged only 25. His symphony has been recorded by the BIS, CPO, Acousence, Hyperion, Ondine, RCA, Arte Nova, & Oehms record labels.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Rott

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Christopher Ward (born 18 March 1980) is a British conductor. He studied at Oxford University (Musicology) and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. From 2009 to 2013, Ward was Kapellmeister and Assistant to Kent Nagano at the Bayerische Staatsoper. In 2014, Christopher Ward became 1st Kapellmeister at the Saarländisches Staatstheater. With labels Naxos and Capriccio, he has recorded a number of highly regarded CDs which have received several Opus Klassik nominations. Ward has been Generalmusikdirektor of Theater Aachen and Sinfonieorchester Aachen since 2018.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Ward_(conductor)

http://www.csward.com/

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