This album features songs by Albert Rubenson that have never been recorded before, making this their premiere release on CD.
Historical Context
Rubenson grew up in Stockholm's Jewish community, and his great-grandfather, Ruben Wulff, was one of the first rabbis in Sweden, having emigrated from Poland in the 1790s.
Critical Reception
Despite Franz Berwald, a prominent Swedish composer, praising Rubenson's only symphony, Rubenson stopped composing because his music was met with indifference.
Performer Biography
Caroline Gentele, the soprano on this album, was encouraged to pursue singing by theater manager Kjerstin Dellert, who discovered her singing alone in a theater.
Composer Biography
Albert Rubenson, a Swedish composer, studied violin and composition in Leipzig from 1844-1848, where he also played in the renowned Gewandhaus Orchestra.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Rubenson, a music critic, advocated for a 'Swedish school' of composition built on professional principles, believing composers should cultivate their individual uniqueness, whether 'universal' or 'national'.
Compositional Technique
Rubenson's compositional style is characterized by a 'relay technique' in his symphony, where a theme moves between different instrumental groups and is constantly transformed.
