Carl Reinecke (1824 - 1910) was a German musician, pianist and composer, and was both well known and highly respected in his life-time, leaving behind a substantial body of work. He also has the distiction of being the only artist who was alive at the same time as Beethoven to have an extanct recording of his playing. I believe there are actually several piano rolls, although I have never had the pleasure of listening to them.
Reinecke 's music is, despite being given the moniker Romantic, still stuck in the traditions and styles of the Classical period. His music therefore is perhaps not as contemporary as others from his generation, but there are easy parallels to make bwteen him and the likes of Mendelssohn, Schumann and of course Beethoven.
His second symphony is in four movements and is given the title, "Håkon Jarl" It could be said therefore that the whole symphony is one extended tone poem, since each movement is thematic and takes inspiration from the poem by Danish poet Oehlenschlager about the life of the Viking Håkon Jarl, who was Harald Bluetooth's ally in his quest of becoming ruler of Norway.
The first movement, (allegro), is of epic proportion. The scoring is skillful with various melodies abounding in a beautiful display of orchestral understanding. Brooding, heroic, but also a little menacing. In the second movement, "Thora" (andante), it displays the gracefulness of the poem's heroine. It's elegaic, but melancholic. The third movement, "In Olin's Grave" (allegretto moderato), we hear a much lighter and more uplifting orchestration and melody. Perhaps a ride or a game in the grove (as per the poem). Again, observing the poem it could well be a Pagan ritual. The final movement "Olaf's Victory" (allegro molto), we are back with stirring, highly Romantic themes, almost patriotic in flavour. The music however depicts the defeat of Håkon Jarl at the hand's of Olaf' Tryggvason's army. The sadness is there in the music if you listen. Mostly however it is glorious and satisfyingly full of pageantry.
In this Youtube recording it was the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Howard Shelley.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 16/5/20
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