Credits:
Raphael, Gunter (1903-1960)
Description:
The sixth edition of the Gnter Raphael Editions on the Querstand label. Born in Berlin, Raphael got off to a good start as a composer when his Symphony No. 1 was premiered by Furtwngler. A prolific composer, he wrote five symphonies, six string quartets, several concertos, and many chamber works, and taught at several universities, but he had a difficult time in Germany under the Nazi regime. His style varied between Romanticism, Neoclassicism, and atonalism, depending on the work and its orchestration, and his preference for counterpoint sometimes gave him a pseudo-baroque style. This disc includes works for flute, from unaccompanied works to woodwind ensembles and sonatas. The highlight is the Sonatina for flute, viola, and harp, modeled after Debussy's masterpiece. Despite being a German composer, the work has its own lyricism, blending French sensibilities with a dry construction reminiscent of Hindemith and others. Tobu Land System
