Undine, Legends of Northern Europe

Featuring

Alexis Kossenko
Vassilis Varvaresos
Carl Joachim Andersen
Edvard Grieg
Carl Reinecke

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Edvard Grieg, despite studying with Reinecke, developed a strong national style, drawing inspiration from Norwegian folklore for his music.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The album's musical journey explores the frontier between reality and imagination, featuring elves, trolls, sylphs, and water nymphs.

Composer Biography

Carl Reinecke, a child prodigy, became an influential musician at the Leipzig Conservatory, serving as director of the Gewandhaus orchestra and professor of piano and composition.

Instruments

The Reinecke Ballade is performed on a 'Reform-Flöte', an instrument perfected by Maximilian Schwedler to preserve the qualities of older flutes while offering an alternative to the Boehm flute.

Composer Biography

Carl Joachim Andersen, a virtuoso flautist, was a co-founder of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and later became a conductor due to tongue paralysis.

Compositional Technique

Grieg's Lyric Pieces, a collection of sixty-six miniatures, evoke the world of Norwegian legends, including sylph dances, bell sounds, and troll marches.

Instruments

The album features period instruments, including Meyer flutes and Steinway or Bechstein pianos from the late 19th century, to represent the Germanic and Scandinavian sound of the era.