Presents
Amanda Maier and Julius Röntgen
Swedish Airs and Dances for Violin and Piano, Op.6
Amanda Maier (1853-1894) was born in the Swedish town of Landskrona. Her early musical studies on violin and piano were with her father. Subsequently, she studied at the Stockholm Conservatory, winning awards not only for her violin playing but also for her compositions. After graduating, she continued her studies at the Leipzig Conservatory where she studied composition with Carl Reinecke and violin with Engelbert Röntgen, concertmaster of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and father of her future husband. After leaving Leipzig, she spent the next few years touring as a concert violinist before marrying the composer Julius Röntgen. Amanda was a fairly prolific composer up until her marriage by which time she a two piano quartets, a piano trio, two string quartets and several other instrumental works to her credit. However, after her marriage she more or less gave up her career. Brahms and Grieg were among those who heard and praised her music highly. Unfortunately, only a few of her compositions were ever published.
Julius Röntgen (1855-1932) was born in the German city of Leipzig. He showed musical talent at an early age and was taken to the famed pianist and composer, Carl Reinecke, the director of the Gewandhaus orchestra. Subsequently he studied piano in Munich with Franz Lachner, one of Schubert's closest friends. After a brief stint as a concert pianist, Röntgen moved to Amsterdam and taught piano there, helping to found the Amsterdam Conservatory and the subsequently world famous Concertgebouw Orchestra. He composed throughout his life. Though he wrote in most genres, chamber music was his most important area.
Amanda and Julius collaborated on a number of works including the Schwedische Weisen und Tãnzen (Swedish Airs and Dances). They were composed in 1882 and published five years later. None of the tunes are identified but each of the six movements has a different mood. Some slow and song-like, others lively and dance-like.
Though not so named, they were arranged in an order so that they could be performed as a suite. However, each of the pieces is quite individualistic and could easily serve as a shorter recital work or encore on its own. These are very appealing works, which will make a fine impression. We warmly recommend them to our violinist friends
Parts: $24.95
