Werner Andreas Alber, Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie - Robert Volkmann: Complete Orchestral Works (1994) (2CD)

Robert Volkmann had a distinguished musical career, but even within his own lifetime his peers seem to have viewed him with respect as a worthy composer rather than one of any originality. That was probably a fair judgement and his work passed out of the concert halls and into the history books after his death. This double CD set from CPO therefore provides the modern day listener with a useful conspectus of his orchestral writing.

Volkmann did have some considerable success with his first symphony in D minor, particularly in Russia. It has been suggested that its powerful unison opening was an influence on Borodin when he came to write his second symphony; I don't know whether Borodin actually was familiar with Volkmann's work, but the similarities are startling. Volkmann's introduction doesn't lead to a symphonic movement as original as Borodin's, but it is a dramatic allegro with a sustained tone of seriousness. This tone is matched by the remaining three movements and if Volkmann had decided to subtitle his symphony 'Tragic', the adjective wouldn't have been misplaced.

He also had success with his Cello Concerto, to my mind the best piece on the disc. It is in one movement and based on three primary themes. Volkmann packs a surprising variety of mood and incident into its mere 16 minutes but this eloquent work still retains a strong sense of coherence. I understand that this concerto has maintained a marginal place in the repertory, in German speaking countries at least, and it deserves that place.

I don't know if these discs were originally released separately (as the same label's survey of Goetz's orchestral works originally was) but if so, from a sales point of view, CPO were probably wise to place each of the two works I have discussed on different discs; they are the compositions that have earned Volkmann's name a place in the music history books. The remaining works don't quite live up to their level of inspiration. Although the second symphony is pleasant enough, I found the unnamed overture rather commonplace and the overture, 'Richard III', a unsuccessful flirtation with some of the tenets of the New German school.

Werner Andreas Albert and the orchestra are reliable guides to the music and the sound quality - in what are now quite old recordings - is adequate. The cello concerto was recently released as part of Hyperion's 'Romantic Cello Concerto' series, The Romantic Cello Concerto, Vol. 2 Volkmann, Dietrich, Gernsheim & Schumann; I haven't heard that disc but it appears to have been well-received and will no doubt be in far better sound. I suppose it depends whether your primary interest is in Volkmann's fine concerto solely or in his orchestral oeuvre as a whole - if the latter, I would say that this set is a safe recommendation. ~ ByJ. A. Peacock

Disc: 1
1. Ov 'Richard III' Op.68
2. Sym No.1 Op.44 In d: Allegro Patetico
3. Sym No.1 Op.44 In d: Andante
4. Sym No.1 Op.44 In d: Scherzo. Allegro Non Troppo
5. Sym No.1 Op.44 In d: Finale. Allegro Molto

Disc: 2
1. Sym No.2 Op.53 In B Flat: Allegro Vivace
2. Sym No.2 Op.53 In B Flat: Allegretto
3. Sym No.2 Op.53 In B Flat: Andantino
4. Sym No.2 Op.53 In B Flat: Allegro Vivace
5. Vc Con Op.33 In a
6. Ov Op. Posth. In C




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