Edward Loder (1809-1865) came from a prominent musical family in Bath, England; his grandfather and father were both violinists, and his father was a child prodigy.
Performer Biography
Pianist and conductor Ian Hobson won First Prize at the Leeds International Piano Competition in 1981, after earning silver medals at the Arthur Rubinstein and Vienna-Beethoven competitions.
Composer Biography
Edward Loder studied composition in Frankfurt with Ferdinand Ries (1784-1838), a pupil and colleague of Beethoven, gaining a solid foundation in the Viennese school.
Composition History
Loder's opera, Raymond and Agnes, premiered in 1855, was considered his masterpiece, with critics later comparing its orchestration and dramatic power to middle-period Verdi.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded on July 27-28, 2015, in the Foellinger Great Hall of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana, Illinois.
Composer Biography
Edward Loder struggled financially throughout his career, briefly imprisoned for debt in 1836, and later became dependent on charity due to illness and declining mental powers.
Historical Context
During Loder's time, British upper classes primarily looked to Italy for opera and Germany/Austria for instrumental music, leading to a low standard being perceived for English composers.
