Weyse: The Key Masterpieces

$16.99 (COMPACT DISC)

Link to this COMPACT DISC

Symphony No. 7 in E flat major, DF 123 (more info)
Performed by: Royal Danish Orchestra
Composed by: Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse
Conducted by: Michael Schonwandt


1.   I. Allegro - 00:07:48
2.   II. Andante - 00:09:06
3.   III. Minuetto - 00:05:05
4.   IV. Finale: Allegro - 00:06:50


Festen pa Kenilworth (Feast at Kenilworth) (more info)
Performed by: Danish Radio Sinfonietta Odense Symphony Orchestra
Composed by: Ole Schmidt Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse
Conducted by: Adam Fischer
Hans Christian Andersen,
Mathias Hedegaard,


5.   Festen pa Kenilworth (Feast at Kenilworth): Hyrden graesser sine Far - 00:03:15


Sovedrikken (The Sleeping-Draught) (more info)
Performed by: Danish Radio Sinfonietta
Composed by: Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse
Conducted by: Adam Fischer
Mathias Hedegaard,
Tove Lonskov, piano


6.   Sovedrikken (The Sleeping-Draught): Skon Jomfru, luk dit Vindu op (Fair lady, open your window) - 00:02:14


Prinsesse Isabella: Natten er sa stille (more info)
Performed by: Danish Radio Sinfonietta
Composed by: Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse
Conducted by: Adam Fischer
Johan Ludvig Heiberg,
Mathias Hedegaard,


7.   Prinsesse Isabella: Natten er sa stille - 00:01:52


Festen pa Kenilworth (Feast at Kenilworth) (more info)
Performed by: Odense Symphony Orchestra
Composed by: Ole Schmidt Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse


8.   Festen pa Kenilworth (Feast at Kenilworth): Sigojnerdans (Gypsy Dance) - 00:04:17


Piano Sonata No. 6 in B flat major (more info)
Composed by: Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse
Thomas Trondhjem, piano


9.   I. Andante (with 8 variations) - 00:13:14
10.   II. Rondo: Scherzo - 00:05:28


7 Aftensange (7 Evening Songs) (more info)
Composed by: Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse
Marie Rorbech, piano
Else Torp,
Mathias Hedegaard,


11.   No. 1. Der star et slot i vesterled - 00:02:33
12.   No. 2. Dagen gar med raske fjed - 00:02:13
13.   No. 3. Til vor lille gerning ud - 00:03:02
14.   No. 4. I fjerne kirketarne hist - 00:03:28
15.   No. 5. Bliv hos os, nar dagen haelder - 00:03:13
16.   No. 6. Den skonne jordens sol gik ned - 00:01:33
17.   No. 7. Den store, stille nat gar frem - 00:01:49

Symphony No. 1 in G minor, DF 117 (more info)
Performed by: Royal Danish Orchestra
Composed by: Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse
Conducted by: Michael Schonwandt


1.   I. Allegro con spirito - 00:05:45
2.   II. Minuetto - 00:05:33
3.   III. Andante - 00:04:41
4.   IV. Vivace - 00:05:04


8 Etudes, Op. 51 (more info)
Composed by: Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse
Bohumila Jedlickova, piano


5.   No. 1. Prestissimo in C major - 00:01:46
6.   No. 2. Allegro moderato in C minor - 00:02:03
7.   No. 3. Allegro in D flat major - 00:02:54
8.   No. 4. Allegretto in C sharp minor - 00:02:43
9.   No. 5. Allegro con spirito in D major - 00:02:36
10.   No. 6. Allegro con brio in D minor - 00:02:06
11.   No. 7. Allegretto in E flat major - 00:02:41
12.   No. 8. Vivace in E flat minor - 00:02:56


Sovedrikken (The Sleeping-Draught) (more info)
Performed by: Danish Radio Sinfonietta
Composed by: Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse
Conducted by: Giordano Bellincampi


13.   Sovedrikken (The Sleeping-Draught): Overture - 00:04:38


Christmas Cantata No. 3, DF 26, "Jubler, o jubler i salige toner" (more info)
Performed by: Tivoli Symphony Orchestra
Composed by: Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse
Conducted by: Michael Schonwandt
Bodil Arnesen, soprano
Dorthe Elsebet Larsen, soprano
Stephen Milling, bass
Peter Gronlund, tenor
Kirsten Dolberg, contralto


14.   No. 1. Allegro con spirito: Jubler, o jubler i salige toner (Sing and rejoice, o world in thy gladness) - 00:02:35
15.   No. 2. Poco Andante: I Bethlehem hans vugge star - 00:02:49
16.   No. 3. O himmelbarn med guddomsand - 00:01:27
17.   No. 4. Andantino: Du de vise kom at hylde - 00:02:17
18.   No. 5. Andante maestoso - Allegro moderato - Tempo primo: Eder er i dag en frelser fod - 00:05:41
19.   No. 6. Andantino: Halleluja, vi hore det evangilium - 00:02:55
20.   No. 7. Allegro con sprito - Moderato - Andante maestoso: Jubler, o jubler i salige toner - 00:06:31

Reviews

Delicious Danish (Jan 29, 2011)
Reviewer:Craig Zeichner
The music of Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse (1774-1842) isn’t very well known outside of his native Denmark and that’s too bad. Weyse wasn’t one for traveling, so his music really didn’t have an opportunity to take root on the continent, but a number of 19th century musical luminaries (Liszt, Moscheles, Clara Schumann) did come to Denmark to visit him (no doubt to hear his considerable... The music of Christoph Ernst Friedrich Weyse (1774-1842) isn’t very well known outside of his native Denmark and that’s too bad. Weyse wasn’t one for traveling, so his music really didn’t have an opportunity to take root on the continent, but a number of 19th century musical luminaries (Liszt, Moscheles, Clara Schumann) did come to Denmark to visit him (no doubt to hear his considerable pianistic skills). Bottom line is, Weyse was a musical conservative whose interests did not extend beyond Mozart, so he was kind of left behind when Beethoven and others stormed ahead in (at the time) new music. Thankfully, this excellent collection introduces the delightful Weyse to the wider world and there’s lots to like.

Weyse is best remembered as a song composer (the great Danish tenor Aksel Schøtz was an advocate and recorded several of his songs) and this 2-CD collection is filled with some top-notch songs. Weyse’s melodic talent is considerable and his “Evening Songs” of 1838 charm with their unaffected sweetness. Soprano Else Torp and tenor Mathias Hedegaard make a strong case for them. Hedegaard is also the soloist in three orchestral songs with chorus that are equally lovely. Weyse wrote seven symphonies and they sit squarely in the classical tradition. If you enjoy the symphonies of Haydn or the early symphonies of Schubert, you will be right at home here. Weyse’s piano works are represented by the fine Piano Sonata No. 6 in B flat major and a set of virtuoso Etudes. A large-scale Christmas Cantata closes things out. Weyse’s vocal writing is quite fine and features some marvelous choral writing, including a brilliant closing fugue. Like I said, the performances are uniformly excellent and there isn’t anything here that won’t inspire you to check out more by this delightful composer. Go for it!

(read more)