Presents
Josef Labor
Sonata for Violin and Piano in d minor, Op.5
Labor's Violin Sonata in d minor, Op.5 dates from 1891. In four movments, the opening Allegro ma non troppo is quite relaxed and approaches the quality of an art song. The Adagio non troppo is also song-like and rather similar in mood to the opening movement. In third place is a Tempo di Menuetto which Labor subtitles Sicilienne. The finale, Quasi improvisato, takes the opening theme and then provides several capitvating improvised episodes.
Josef Labor (1842-1924), who was born in the Bohemian town of Horowitz and blinded by smallpox at the age of three, was, as a result, sent to Vienna to study at the Institute for the Blind. His precocious musical talent resulted in his being sent to study at the Conservatory of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde. For several years he had a career as a concert pianist and then later studied organ and today is mostly remembered for his compositions for that instrument. Labor knew and was on friendly terms with virtually every musician of importance in Vienna as well as many others living elsewhere, including Brahms, Richard Strauss, Bruckner, Clara Schumann, Gustav Mahler and Bruno Walter.
This is an attractive, late Romatic era work which would make a nice recital piece. Long out of print, we are pleased to make it available once again.
Parts: $24.95
