Peter-Lukas Graf - Reinecke, Reissiger: Flute Concertos (2001)

Carl Gottlieb Reissiger was born in 1798 and entered the "Thomasschule" in Leipzig in 1811. He studied with Salieri in Vienna and with Peter von Winter in Munich. He was appointed music director of the German court in Dresden after von Weber's death, later Royal Kapellmeister for life. He remained a highly esteemed and influential figure in Dresden until his death. The size of the ensemble for the Concertino in D major, composed in 1829, is surprisingly large for a "small" concerto. The composer was clearly very familiar with the colors and techniques of the romantic opera orchestra. Carl Reinecke was a brilliant piano virtuoso. He gave his first recital at the age of twelve; in 1843 at the age of nineteen, he made his first concert tour of Denmark and Sweden; and in 1846, he was appointed pianist to the court in Copenhagen. In 1860, he accepted a position at the Leipzig Conservatory; in 1897 he was appointed its Director. Reinecke was also the chief conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, a position he held for 35 years. His compositional style was influenced by Mendelssohn and Schumann, both of whom he personally knew. The harmonies and the symphonic spirit of his Flute Concerto reveal Brahms' influence as well. The Ballade is a concert piece in one movement. A scherzo that is reminiscent of the music from Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is framed by two adagio sections that are very poetic.