Friedrich Gernsheim emergence from total and undeserved obscurity is long overdue, and to be welcomed. Born

in to an old Jewish family in the city of Worms in 1839, he quickly showed considerable skills on the violin.

At the age of 7 he took lessons from Louis Liebe, a pupil of Louis Spohr, and at just 11 he was introduced to

the public in a concert as a pianist, violinist and composer -- an orchestral overture of his being

premiered. A further period of study in Paris brought him into contact with Rossini, and younger composers of

his own generation such as Wagner, Lalo and Saint-Sa?ns. Gernsheim's output includes four fine symphonies,

concertos for violin and piano and a large body of chamber and piano music. He was a friend of both Brahms

and Bruch, and he fits neatly between these two composers -- both of them admired Gernsheim's music, and his

works display an extremely high level of craftsmanship, refinement and individuality with a gift for truly

memorable tunes. It was the aspiring young composer Gustav Mahler who approached Gernsheim for assistance in

getting performances for his own Second Symphony. In return Mahler championed Gernsheim's Third Symphony

'Mirjam'. The rise of the Nazis in the 1920s and 30s saw all trace of Gernsheim eradicated. This CD of his

op.6 and op.47 Piano Quartets is a valuable addition to the growing list of recordings exploring the work of

this influential minor master of 19th and early-20th century German music.

Tracks:

1- Piano Quartet n? 3 in F Op.47. I. Allegro tranquillo 12:12
2- Piano Quartet n? 3 in F Op.47. II. Allegro energico 6:44
3- Piano Quartet n? 3 in F Op.47. III. Andante cantabile 9:34
4- Piano Quartet n? 3 in F Op.47. IV. Tema con variazione 6:45
5- Piano Quartet n? 1 in E flat Op.6. I. Allegro ma non troppo 10:34
6- Piano Quartet n? 1 in E flat Op.6. II. Allegro vivace 6:25
7- Piano Quartet n? 1 in E flat Op.6. III. Andante con moto 8:20
8- Piano Quartet n? 1 in E flat Op.6. IV. Allegro con brio 6:23

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http://www.fileserve.com/file/ChejEgG/0609_L_GPQ.part1.rar
http://www.fileserve.com/file/km4brc5/0609_L_GPQ.part2.rar
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