Credits:

Goltermann, Georg (1824-1898)

Description:

Georg Goltermann is a well-known German Romantic composer. The long-awaited Cello Concerto No. 1 and the first recording of his symphony are now available! Georg Goltermann is a well-known composer among cellists. Born in Hanover, northern Germany, he quickly made his mark studying cello with Bernhard Romberg's student Christian Prelle, and by the time he moved to Munich at the age of 23, he was already well known as a cello virtuoso. In Munich, he studied cello with Josef Menter and composition with Ignaz Lachner. He later became first cellist and conductor at the Theater Würzburg and then Kapellmeister at the Frankfurt Opera, where he remained for 40 years until his death. Goltermann was also an active composer, with 133 numbered works to his credit. His cello concertos are said to number five or eight in all, but the one recorded here, No. 1, is considered the most difficult to play and the most complete in terms of musical content. The second movement, Andante, was recorded by Casals as an encore peal under the name "Cantilena," but there has not been a complete recording of the entire work for quite some time, so this is a valuable recording. The second movement Andante is full of fragrant harmonies and stirring melodies reminiscent of Schumann and Mendelssohn, and there is no shortage of virtuoso soloists to showcase their talents. It is a wonder that this piece has not become a fixture in today's concert repertoire.The two small pieces are also a treasure trove of beautiful melodies. The soloist, Jamal Aliyev, was born in Azerbaijan in 1993, and was a gem, having been competitively invited by the Moscow Conservatory and the Menuhin School of Music (London), which both took notice of his talent. Aliyev, who chose London, continues to attract attention, including being named soloist for the 2017 BBC Proms "John Williams 85th Anniversary Program". The world premiere recording of the symphony is a 32-minute work, and it, too, is full of melodies that come easily to the ear and mind. It is a symphony like Mendelssohn's "A Summer Night's Dream," if you will. Naxos Japan