Presents
Robert Fuchs
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Soundbites
1.
Mässig bewegt,
leidenschaftlich 2. Langsam, getragen (Slow, solemn) 4. Sehr gemütvoll (Very sentimental) 5. Anmütig bewegt (Graceful, moving) |
Seven Fantasy Pieces for Violin, Viola & Piano, Op.57
Fuchs' Seven Fantasy Pieces for Violin, Viola and Piano, Op.57 must be included in the front rank of such works. The genre of Fantasy Pieces (Phantasiestücke in German) was more or less pioneered by Robert Schumann in the 1830's. These were generally a set of shorter pieces meant to be performed together. Each, colorful and with a different mood or character.
Robert Fuchs (1847-1927) was born near the Styrian capital of Graz and attended the University of Vienna Conservatory studying with Otto Dessoff and Joseph Hellmesberger. By 1875, he himself was teaching at the Conservatory, eventually rising to the rank of Professor of Composition. He was one of the most famous and revered teachers of his time. Mahler, Sibelius, Hugo Wolf, Franz Schmidt, Alexander Zemlinsky, Franz Schrecker and Richard Heuberger were among his many students.
Fuchs very much liked this genre and wrote several sets of fantasy pieces for different combinations of instruments. As previously noted, these are among the best.
The Seven Fantasy Pieces were originally published in 1896 by Schlesinger of Berlin in two parts or books. The only reason we can think of is so that the publisher could make more money because the pieces are not particularly long. All seven could easily have printed in one volume and can certainly be performed together, as they were no doubt intended since as a whole they are no longer than a medium short trio. Subsequent editions have continued this practice of selling them in two sets. However, we have put an end to this and have included all seven under one set of covers for the same price as a trio and far less than the other two book sets, which in any event are not easy to obtain or always available.
Parts: $29.95
