Julius Röntgen - Symphony No. 10; Symphonietta Humoristica (David Porcelijn)

Information

Composer: Julius Röntgen

• Symphony No. 10 in D major, "Waltz Symphony"
• Symphonietta humoristica
• 3 Preludes and Fugues
• Old Netherlands Suite

Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz

David Porcelijn, conductor

Date: 2008

Label: CPO

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Review

Julius Röntgen was one of those composers whose joy in music is evident in everything he wrote. Criticized in his lifetime for his lack of originality (meaning harmonic conservatism), it seems to me that if you have his ability to write good tunes and orchestrate them so effectively, then there’s little point in pursuing a more “modern” (meaning dissonant) idiom. The man clearly knew what he was doing, and if an hour or so of glittering, good-humored, expertly crafted music sounds off-putting, then all I can say is that I pity you.

This third disc in CPO’s ongoing Röntgen series contains some real gems, and even better than the first disc (containing Symphony No. 3) makes an ideal introduction to the composer. Toward the end of his life Röntgen composed a series of single-movement symphonies, mostly it seems for his own pleasure. No. 10 lasts less than 10 minutes, and pleasure is the name of the game: it’s deliciously bubbly, the waltz of its subtitle gradually stealing in and taking control of the music as it progresses. Symphonietta humoristica lives up to its title, with its brilliant but always light scoring and a few mischievous glances at the works of other composers. The Three Preludes and Fugues strike a more serious tone; their scoring has some impressionist touches, but honestly, where will you hear such imaginative color combinations as that at the start of the first prelude: harp, celesta, and bassoon!

The Suite “Old Netherlands” reflects Röntgen’s lifelong attachment to Dutch early and folk music, and it brings him close to the idiom of his good friend Edvard Grieg (think of the latter’s Holberg Suite, or the Old Norwegian Romance with Variations). It’s nothing more or less than a collection of splendid tunes, very effectively arranged and presented. As with previous discs in this series, the performances are all very confident, energetically conducted and well-played, and the engineering is excellent. A very enjoyable release indeed.

— David Hurwitz

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Julius Röntgen (9 May 1855 – 13 September 1932) was a German-Dutch composer and teacher. Privately educated, he began composing at age eight and studied under prominent musicians like Ferdinand David, Carl Reinecke and Franz Lachner. A meeting with Brahms in 1874 had a decisive influence on his compositional style. Settling in Amsterdam in 1877, Röntgen co-founded the Amsterdam Conservatory and helped establish the Concertgebouw building. He composed over 650 works in almost every genre, evolving from Romanticism to modern experimentation. His first wife was Swedish composer Amanda Maier.

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David Porcelijn (born 7 January 1947) is a Dutch composer and conductor. He studied flute, composition, and conducting at the Royal Conservatoire of Music in The Hague. Porcelijn has conducted major orchestras worldwide, including the London Philharmonic and the BBC Symphony. He held leading roles with ensembles such as the Adelaide and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, and the RTS Symphony Orchestra in Belgrade. A co-founder of Ensemble M, he promoted contemporary music from 1974 to 1978. Porcelijn has recorded extensively and taught conducting in both the Netherlands and Australia.

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