Andreas N. Tarkmann, the arranger for this album, is a renowned arranger, composer, author, and university lecturer, and was awarded the 'Echo-Klassik' prize in 2013.
Composer Biography
Albert Lortzing, the composer whose operas are arranged on this album, grew up in a theatrical family and performed as an actor and professional singer from a young age.
Recording & Production
The arrangements on this album are Harmoniemusiken, which are wind transcriptions of operas, oratorios, and symphonies, primarily from the First Viennese School era (1770-1830).
Historical Context
Lortzing faced significant challenges as a composer, including omnipresent censorship for stage works and the complete absence of copyright protection, leading to financial exploitation.
Composer Biography
Lortzing wrote his own theatrically effective librettos for his numerous Singspiele and Spielopern, which became increasingly popular.
Compositional Technique
The standard instrumentation for Harmoniemusiken was a wind octet with pairs of oboes, clarinets, horns, and bassoons, sometimes augmented by a double bass or flute.
Composition History
Harmoniemusiken were a popular substitute for large-scale works when a full performance was not possible due to spatial, organizational, or financial constraints.
You might also enjoy...
Rossini: Ouvertures (Transcrites pour instruments à vent)
Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia nella trascrizione per Harmonie di Wenzel Sedlak
Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia nella trascrizione per Harmonie
Rosenberg: Kammarmusik
Renderings - A Musical Landscape for Violin and Harp
Complete Chamber Music for Flute & Strings Vol. 3
Five in the Sun
Mostly Mississippi
Tovey: Chamber Music, Vol. 2
Plain Song, Fantastic Dances: Chamber Music by American Composers
