This album was recorded in the Rittersaal of Schloss Weinberg, Austria, between October 9-11, 2023.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Julius Bittner was primarily a dramatic composer who wrote his own opera texts, which were often set in Austrian landscapes, history, and society.
Composition History
Gustav Mahler, the court opera director, advised Julius Bittner to write his own opera after reviewing Bittner's first attempt, Alarich, which Mahler felt was too Wagnerian.
Album & Artwork
The album cover features Gustav Klimt's painting 'Schlossteich am Attersee,' created before 1910.
Performer Biography
The Thomas Christian Ensemble, led by founder Thomas Christian, focuses on performing rarely heard music, including string quartets by composers like Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst, Joseph Marx, and Wilhelm Kienzl.
Composer Biography
Julius Bittner, the composer, initially intended to pursue a career as a jurist, working as a judge before dedicating his life to music.
Critical Reception
Julius Bittner's First String Quartet was called his 'Pastoral Quartet' by critic Heinrich Kralik, who suggested it was inspired by a stroll through the Upper Austrian countryside.
