Misha Rachlevsky - Carl Reinecke: Music for Strings (2002)

Time is a severe and unforgiving judge. It has mercilessly relegated countless artistic endeavors into oblivion, many of which enjoyed great success and acclaim during their time. The name Reinecke finds little echo today, not just for the average music lover but even for the majority of professional musicians. Those vaguely familiar with him might be able to place him as a 19th century composer or pianist, but the majority will maintain that he has long been forgotten and presumably for good reason. After all, who could be more impartial and objective than time, for she is blind! But unlike most people, time is in no hurry to state her final verdict; she has all of time and eternity in addition. She is a judge with the permanent right to appeal and reopen any case. And rightly so. Who would have thought in ancient Greece that the thousands of hymns and poems by countless nameless poets could possibly be more than momentary utilitarian objects? And yet, even the smallest fragments are counted among the most treasured items in contemporary anthologies of ancient works. Music history is no different; the last two centuries have brought forth numerous rediscoveries of works to be long treasured. This recording is the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin's contribution to the rediscovery of an unjustly forgotten musician. Carl Reinecke was the last major representative of the so-called "Leipzig School" which was founded by Mendelssohn and centered around the Leipzig Conservatory. While incorporating romantic trends into its music, the Leipzig school nevertheless rejected the most daring and radical manifestations of romanticism. This moderation verged on conservative academicism at times, but even without surprising innovations such a style can be familiar and pleasant, and built on the solid foundation of classical form, it can assume a real viability. The works on this recording offer a remarkably succinct picture of Reinecke's style. It is a delightful disc which should appeal to anyone who enjoys classical music and who thinks they have heard everything. Here is something decidedly new and so very attractive.