Symphonic Works

Werner Richard Heymann, one of the most successful composers of German 'Schlagermusik' (pop song music) in the first half of the 20th century, began his career as a composer of highly-regarded symphonic music. His music enjoyed performances by such eminent orchestras as the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonic, amongst others. This album contains the world premiere recording of Heymann's concert works for symphony orchestra, along with two silent movie pieces and an orchestral work by Rolf Rudin, inspired by fragments from Heymann's lost music to Murnau's 'Faust - Eine Deutsche Volkssage' (Faust - A German Folk Saga). But the period between 1789 and 1914 saw the emergence of a large number of composers who gave this epoch it's face, and not only in Germany. With the album quot;Nightfall - Sacred Romantic Parts Songs,quot; the Jugendchor Hochtaunus under the direction of it's artistic director Tristan Meister presents 18 works by European Romantic composers. Known pieces such as Reger's quot;Nachtlied,quot; Rheinberger's quot;Abendliedquot; and Brahms' quot;Ach, arme Weltquot; can be heard as well as exciting new discoveries such as a musical setting ofquot;Our Fatherquot; by Poland's Stanislaw Moniuszko or the quot;Lord, Abide with Usquot; by Miina Härma from Estonia. The balanced and at the same time youthfully fresh sound of the excellently matched ensemble lends every song a unique charm, providing delightful moments packed with new aspects in the quot;evergreensquot; of the Romantic choral repertoire, which have already been often heard and recorded. Psalm settings, evening songs, lullabies, prayers, and other spiritual reflections can be heard.