Brahms' 'Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn' served as a 'dress rehearsal' for his symphonic composing abilities, though the result far exceeded a mere exercise.
Performer Biography
Baritone Thomas Hampson has an operatic repertoire of over 80 roles and a discography of more than 170 albums, earning multiple GRAMMY, Edison, and Grand Prix du Disque awards.
Recording & Production
The album includes Mendelssohn's 'Hebrides' Overture as a 'bonus track' or 'keystone' to acknowledge modern listening habits where albums are rarely heard continuously from start to finish.
Performer Biography
Conductor Claudio Vandelli has dedicated decades to founding new orchestras with young, talented musicians, including the three international festival orchestras for the Verbier Festival in Switzerland.
Instruments
The Reinhold Würth Musikstiftung owns several historically significant instruments, including the 'Ex Ries' violin from 1693 by Antonio Stradivari, played by Veronika Eberle.
Interpretation
Conductor Claudio Vandelli compares Brahms' orchestrations of Schubert's songs to coloring an old black-and-white film, as they add orchestral colors without new compositional elements.
Album & Artwork
The album's central concept revolves around the theme of orchestration, featuring works by Brahms as both an arranger and a composer whose work is arranged by Detlev Glanert.
