COMPOSERS: Reubke
LABELS: Guild
WORKS: Piano Sonata in B flat minor; Organ Sonata on the 94th Psalm
PERFORMER: Jeremy Filsell (piano, organ)
CATALOGUE NO: GMCD 7137
Julius Reubke died prematurely at the age of 24 in 1858, leaving just these two substantial works and a handful of smaller pieces. Presenting them both together gives us a complete picture of the composer, but does him few other favours: on their own each is impressive, but they both inhabit the same dark sound-world and share some of the same virtuoso tricks. The Piano Sonata, Lisztian in many ways but harmonically original, has been overshadowed by similar works of his better-known contemporaries, but the Organ Sonata stands as one of the smaller peaks in the repertory. Though perhaps it needs a more Romantic organ than the bright-toned St John’s, Smith Square instrument, Jeremy Filsell follows the composer’s precedent and plays both sonatas with great flair. John Allison
Reubke
Julius Reubke died prematurely at the age of 24 in 1858, leaving just these two substantial works and a handful of smaller pieces. Presenting them both together gives us a complete picture of the composer, but does him few other favours: on their own each is impressive, but they both inhabit the same dark sound-world and share some of the same virtuoso tricks. The Piano Sonata, Lisztian in many ways but harmonically original, has been overshadowed by similar works of his better-known contemporaries, but the Organ Sonata stands as one of the smaller peaks in the repertory.
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:28 pm