Sinding's Suite in A minor, Op. 10, was constantly performed by great violinists like Jascha Heifetz and Fritz Kreisler in the early twentieth century.
Critical Reception
Sinding's Piano Quintet, Op. 5, received extremely divided critical reception, with some critics declaring him a genius and others condemning the work.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Sinding's Cantus doloris, Op. 78, meaning 'mourning song', was published the year after his adopted son's death and is a touching, mournful piece differing from his usual vivacious style.
Composer Biography
Christian Sinding, the composer, moved to Leipzig in 1874 to study at its famous conservatory, a "Mecca" for Norwegian composers like Edvard Grieg.
Composition History
Sinding's Piano Quintet, Op. 5, marked his first breakthrough, performed by legendary violinist Adolf Brodsky's quartet with Ferruccio Busoni on piano.
Instruments
Henning Kraggerud, the violinist on this recording, plays a 1744 Guarneri del Gesù instrument, provided by Dextra Musica AS.
Cultural Impact
Sinding was appointed an honorary member of the Königliche Akademie der Kunste in Berlin in 1909, alongside Puccini, and his most famous composition, Frühlingsrauschen (The Rustle of Spring), achieved unrivalled fame.
