Joseph Merk, a Viennese cellist and the composer on this album, originally wanted to be a violinist but a dog bite on his arm made it impossible for him to hold the violin.
Composer Biography
Joseph Merk, the composer and cellist featured on this album, served as a professor at the Vienna Conservatory from 1821 to 1848 and was appointed Imperial Chamber Virtuoso in 1834.
Composition History
Frédéric Chopin dedicated his Introduction et Polonaise brillante, Op. 3, to Joseph Merk, the composer and cellist on this album, during Chopin's visit to Vienna in 1829.
Compositional Technique
The Air suisse varié, Op. 32, by Joseph Merk, is a Biedermeier-era piece that uses classical variation form and incorporates an art-music theme made to sound like folk music.
Historical Context
Joseph Merk's Valses brillantes, Op. 6, provide insight into the transition from Schubert's piano dances to the dance music of Johann Strauss the Elder, who emerged as a composer in 1826.
Notable Performances
Joseph Merk, the composer and cellist, played a significant role in the rediscovery of Beethoven's Triple Concerto, performing it in 1825 to great public acclaim after its unsuccessful 1808 premiere.
Compositional Technique
Joseph Merk's Fleurs d'Italie are operatic paraphrases for cello and piano, based on popular motifs from new operas by Donizetti and Verdi, allowing audiences to enjoy favorite melodies in their homes.
You might also enjoy...
Bach, J.C.: Flute Sonatas, Op. 19
Lise Cristiani (Deluxe Album)
The Bottesini Collection, Vol. 5
Delta y Mar
Puerto, Abril & Guereña: Guitar Double Concertos
Music For Two
Haydns Himmlisches Hinterzimmer
Antonin Dvorák, Hermann Zilcher & Joaquín Turina: Piano Trios
Bloch, Britten, Cassadó and Hindemith: 20th Century Music for Unaccompanied Cello
