Walter Kaufmann; Chamber Works Chamber Chandos

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WALTER KAUFMANN

premiere recordings

String Quartet No.11 (before 1939)

18:34

Lento - Allegro ma non troppo - Poco meno - Accelerando - Grave

5:30

Un poco grave

5:11

III

Allegro molto - Meno - Allegro molto

3:00

Allegro barbarico - Poco meno - Molto meno - A tempo - Poco meno

4:51

Sonata No.2, Op.44 (before 1946) *

10:37

for Violin and Piano

Molto moderato e tranquillo - Allegro moderato - Tempo I - Tempo II

3:59

Adagio molto

3:17

III

Vivace

3:17

String Quartet No.7 (before 1939)

24:17

Energico - [Meno mosso] - [Tempo I]

6:10

Sostenuto cantaile - Mosso - Meno

5:41

10.

III

Allegro molto - Meno

2:49

11.

Andantino - Allegro - Molto meno - Andantino

4:35

12.

Vivace - [Meno mosso] - Meno - Allargando - Largamente

4:56

Sonatina No.12 (before 1946)

9:11

for Violin and Piano

Arranged for Clarinet and Piano

13.

Sostenuto cantabile

4:17

14.

Intermezzo. Vivace - [Trio] - Vivace

1:29

15.

Finale: Canzonetta. Moderato

3:18

16.

Septet (before 1946) †

14:52

for Three Violins, Viola, Two Cellos, and Piano

Allegro - Allargando - Andante - Mosso - Molto meno -

Un poco meno - Adagio -

Total time: 77:12

Chamber: ARC Ensemble

Erika Raum violin *

Marie Bérard violin

Steven Dann viola

Thomas Wiebe cello

Josquin Valdepeñas clarinet

Kevin Ahfat piano

Special Guests

Jamie Kruspe violin †

Kimberly Jeong cello †

“These are substantial works, in which plaintive solemnity alternates with emphatic, syncopated dances, all heavily imbued with Indian modal, melodic and rhythmic sequences. I found this engrossing mix of European and Asian traditions richly rewarding and hope that this superb CD will inspire more recordings of Kaufmann’s music. I’d love to hear them.”

Michael Schulman – thewholenote.com – 25 August 2020

“The ARC Ensemble have prepared this unfamiliar repertoire with care and a feeling for its beauties. I enjoyed Erika Raum’s sweet tone in the brief Second Violin Sonata and her quicksilver repartee with pianist Kevin Ahfat in Kaufmann’s sudden turns of thought … Chandos and the ARC Ensemble would do everyone a favour by producing a second volume.”

Peter Quantrill – Gramophone magazine – October 2020

Recommended

“… The ARC Ensemble play with impeccable musicality, and they’ve been beautifully recorded. Simon Wynberg’s booklet notes warrant the highest praise. Don’t let this one pass you by.”

Stephen Greenbank – MusicWeb-International.com – 1 December 2020

Editor’s Choice

An itinerant life that produced exciting, exotic music… This is part of a Chandos series called Music in Exile, recorded by the ARC Ensemble from Canada. They play Kaufmann’s music with care, excitement, and even abandon when necessary. I am particularly impressed with violinist Jamie Kruspe in the Sonata, whose portamento and tonal shading point up the music’s exoticism. Clarinettist Joaquin Valdepeñas produces beautiful tone, and pianist Kevin Ahfat accompanies sensitively in both works. Sound quality is first class. Walter Kaufmann is well worth investigating. *****

Phillip Scott – Limelightmagazine.com.au – 16 October 2020

“… Kaufmann wrote a huge amount, including a large portfolio of operas, eighty works with orchestra including six symphonies, a number of concertos, lots of songs and piano music. High praise goes to the players of ARC Ensemble and whilst it’s invidious to pick among them, Erika Raum and Kevin Ahfat star in the Sonata No.2 and Joaquin Valdepeñas makes a fine show in the Sonatina. There are fine notes, and the excellent recording quality ensures that these premiere recordings are heard in the best light. This ‘Music in Exile’ series also includes chamber works by Ben-Haim, Jerzy Fitelberg and Szymon Laks, and whilst there’s no indication that there will be a second volume devoted to Kaufmann his music certainly warrants increased exposure.”

Jonathan Woolf – MusicWeb-International.com – 12 November 2020

Performance **** Recording ****

“… Of all the pieces compellingly performed by the ARC Ensemble. I am particularly taken by the Septet for the unusual combination of three violins, viola, two cellos and piano. This one-movement work presents striking juxtapositions between passages of fiercely percussive intensity and more reflective mysterious material, and encompasses an impressive range of emotions within its 15-minute duration. The Seventh and 12th Quartets are also attractive, as is the resourceful arrangement for clarinet and piano of Sonatina No. 12 for violin and piano, whose likeable dance movements could easily become a favoured repertoire piece for the instrument. Hopefully the ARC Ensemble’s sterling efforts on behalf of this completely unknown composer will stimulate further exploration of Kaufmann’s output…”

Erik Levi – BBC Music magazine – November 2020

“… Their [ARC Ensemble] strongly Czech accent, tuneful and melancholic, dominates, with sudden darts into raga mood. Kaufmann’s music, nuanced and unexpected, deserves to be heard.”

Fiona Maddocks – The Guardian – 26 September 2020

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