Release date: 29 November 2024

This album explores music for fortepiano and solo wind instruments from the Biedermeier period, which is usually characterized as a cultural flourishing in Central Europe between 1815 and 1848. During this period, which is often associated with German Romanticism, music became more accessible to the middle classes, and was often performed in domestic settings. Recreating this atmosphere, this album presents various works by Austrian and German composers of the period including Mendelssohn, Hummel, Schubert, and Schumann, using an original square pianoforte made by Johann Gottlieb Irmler in Leipzig c. 1823, paired with historical wind instruments. Furthermore, the album is presented by musicians from Das Neue Mannheimer Orchester Kamermusici: including Anders Muskens on fortepiano, Elia Celegato on historical clarinet, and Florencia Gómez  on historical flute. 

Tracklist

Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778–1837) 
Sonata for Flute and Pianoforte in D major, Op. 50

1. Allegro con brio

2. Andante – attacca

3. Rondo pastorale

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847)
Sonata for Clarinet and Pianoforte in E flat major, MWV Q 15

1. Adagio – Allegro moderato

2. Andante

3. Allegro moderato

Franz Schubert (1797–1828)
Introduction and Variations, D.802 "Trockne Blumen“

1. Introduction (Andante)

2. Tema (Andantino)

3. Variation I

4. Variation II

5. Variation III

6. Variation IV

7. Variation V

8. Variation VI

9. Variation VII (Allegro)

Robert Schumann (1810–1856)
Fantasiestücke, Op. 73

1. Zart und mit Ausdruck

2. Lebhaft, leicht

3. Rasch und mit Feuer