Jörg Widmann's 'Con brio,' a concert overture, was composed in 2008 for the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra to complement an all-Beethoven program featuring the Seventh and Eighth Symphonies.
Compositional Technique
Beethoven's Seventh Symphony is nicknamed 'Symphonie dactylique' due to its pervasive long-short-short rhythmic sequence, which resembles the dactyl of ancient classical verse.
Compositional Technique
Widmann's 'Con brio' challenges classical musicians to perform 'madness' such as tongue-clicking, lip-smacking, whispering, hitting instrument mouthpieces or bells, and striking drum bodies.
Critical Reception
Beethoven's Seventh Symphony was initially criticized in 1827 for its length, disjointedness, and 'unreasonable noisiness,' with one critic suggesting Beethoven had been afflicted by 'some kind of madness.'
Composition History
Richard Strauss's 'Duett-Concertino' was one of his last works, completed in 1947 at age 83, and is described as a 'farewell greeting' placed within the 'echo chamber of his own works.'
Performer Biography
Jörg Widmann, the clarinetist and conductor on this album, is a versatile artist who has studied clarinet at the Juilliard School and composition with Wolfgang Rihm, and has received numerous awards for his compositions.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Jörg Widmann, the composer and conductor on this album, shares Beethoven's artistic self-image of a composer who 'always goes further,' driven by a love for music and its history.
