Josef Rheinberger

[Guest]

So, I've been playing quite a bit of Josef Rheinberger recently. There doesn't appear to much about him on the forum.Has anybody here played much of his music and what do people generally think of it?

[myorgan]

Re: Josef Rheinberger



[quote user="MonsieurOrgue"]So, I've been playing quite a bit of Josef Rheinberger recently. There doesn't appear to much about him on the forum.Has anybody here played much of his music and what do people generally think of it?[/quote]</P>


The important thing is, what do you think?! If it speaks to you and yours, then it's probably worth playing.</P>


I only remember hearing about 1 Rheinberger piece in the last 30+ years, and have forgotten it--it was that memorable. I only remember the name from the program.</P>


Soubasse?</P>

[Guest]

Re: Josef Rheinberger



I've played exactly one piece by Rheinberger in the last 35 years; I last played it at least 20 years ago. My recollection is that it's called "Cantilena" or something like that; a slow, song-like melody with a fairly conventional (for the mid-nineteenth century) haromonic structure, not too difficult, quite pleasant, if not very memorable.
</p>

DR</p>

[Guest]

Re: Josef Rheinberger

An acquaintance of mine once said: "Rheinberger's music is so beautiful that you forget the melodies not long after you hear them".  I love playing the organ sonatas but I can't seem to remember the melodies of the individual movements.

[soubasse32]

Re: Josef Rheinberger



I have a little bit of experience of Rheinberger's music, and like it a whole lot.</P>


I've performed twoof the Sonatas many, many times:#5 in F-sharp minor (a favorite of mine), and #6 in E-flat minor (including aperformance in Prague). These two sonatas are perfect for anyone who likes sharps &amp; flats! [8-|] I've also played the first movement of the D minor sonata for several concerts; unfortunatelyI never learned the whole sonata. I've always wanted to learn #8 in E minor (with the famous Passacaglia).</P>


I was very honored todiscover that Jirí Ropek had attended the Prague recital - afterward he told me he was very happy to see the Rheinberger Sonata on the program, and made mention thatRheinberger's music had been absent from local recitals for far too long.</P>


I've played many of the slow movements from various sonatas for church- these are quite nice indeed, and are highly recommended for anyone looking for some excellent pieces for church use.</P>


I visited Vaduz, Liechtenstein (birthplace of Rheinberger). There is a nice bronze bust of the composer in the town center.</P>

[tumult_in_the_praetorium]

Re: Josef Rheinberger

I have the scores to all the sonatas but have never played one in it's entirety. In my opinion, many of the sonatas contain a couple of good movements and one that is rather tedious. Some of the slower movements are rather too sweet for my liking. But the Cantilena is wonderful - I play that one regularly.

Personally, I think I might start No.7 in F minor soon.

[Guest]

Re: Josef Rheinberger

I rather like his organ concertos with strings and horns.

[Guest]

Re: Josef Rheinberger



SB32 said: "For anyone who likes sharps &amp; flats"  &lt; ; - D</p>

Well stated dear Maestro SB32.  Upon hearing organists who quiver when they see lots of sharps and flats, one would think the "air" had got let out from their reservoir - there was a leak somewhere in their windtrunks or chests and then they started to *cipher*.</p>

[Menschenstimme]

Re: Josef Rheinberger

[quote user="Kéraulophone"]


SB32 said: "For anyone who likes sharps &amp; flats" &lt; ; - D</P>


Well stated dear Maestro SB32. Upon hearing organists who quiver when they see lots of sharps and flats, one would think the "air" had got let out from their reservoir - there was a leak somewhere in their windtrunks or chests and then they started to *cipher*.</P>


[/quote]</P>


When I see lots of sharps and flats, rather than quivering, I tremble in terror. But at least I stop short of the frightened Scythians in Lysistrata!</P>


[:$][;)]</P>

[tumult_in_the_praetorium]

Re: Josef Rheinberger

[quote user="MenchenStimme"]


When I see lots of sharps and flats, rather than quivering, I tremble in terror. But at least I stop short of the frightened Scythians in Lysistrata!</P>


[:$][;)]</P>[/quote]

So I guessthe Brahms A flat minor Fugue is not on the cards for the foreseeable future...

[Guest]

Re: Josef Rheinberger



I would agree soubasse, a lot of his slow movements are indeed ideally suited for use in services in both style and length, and I personally have found them very useful, particularly in quite preludial music or during communion. </P>


In addition, I would also venture to say that someof the pieces are quite useful as technical studies, to give one example, the many trio style pieces amongst his works. </P>


I rather quite like his music, and find it quite theraputic to play, which is perhaps attributed partly toa rather 'sweet' or 'sugary' style as has beenmentioned previously. This style is perhaps not to everyones taste, but there is a time and place for such music. However, too much of it played together I find does tend to cloy somewhat, but in moderate doses it is rather lovely.</P>


I hearda radio programme about Rheinberger some time ago describing his music as being 'conservative, yet consumately crafted'. I think this is quite a fair summation of much of his work, would people agree. Some of his works do meander somewhat, and perhaps some of his melodies are pretty yet not remarkably memorable. That said though, there are some quite remarkable moments in Rheinberger, are there not? I'm not sure that I find his work completely unmemorable or unmoving.</P>

[robmcw]

Re: Josef Rheinberger

Lots of sharps and flats don't bother me, in fact I rather enjoy them. Its when a clef change pops up that brings me to a grinding halt. For example the last three measures in Widor's Salve Regina from Symphony No. II.

[Menschenstimme]

Re: Josef Rheinberger

Coincidence: Ispontaneouslywent up to turn pages for our music director during our Saturday evening Mass and his prelude was Rheinberger's Cantabile. Itis a pleasant enough piece; but lots of notes and not easy to play. Since myskills and practice time are limited, I need to choose pieces that provide more "bang for the buck." But I would always enjoy listening to Rheinberger.

[soubasse32]

Re: Josef Rheinberger



There are lots of difficulties in Rheinberger's music. I mentioned the key signatures as being one issue; another is the fact that he uses very long phrases in counterpoint - each part entering has the effectofa beautiful arching cascade of notes, IF you can phrase properly and make a good legato.</P>


That is easier said than done. [:)]</P>


Another thing is that these long phrases can also be quite syncopated and rhythmic, with repeated notes etc. This can be extremely tricky if it is a fugal theme - of course all of those intricacies must be repeated when the theme is in the Pedal. I'm thinking of the opening movement of the Fifth Sonata.</P>


When Rheinberger is played well, it should flow effortlessly. His sonatascontain someverymasterful writing, and they seem to show off the instrumentextraordinarily well, whether it be a baroque, romantic, or moderninstrument.</P>


My favorite recording of Rheinberger's Fifth Sonata is played by one of my favorite organists (Thomas Murray) on one of my favorite organs (E&amp;G.G. Hook at Church of the Immaculate Conception, Boston). You can buy the disk here:An American Masterpiece Note however,that the sound clips areincorrecton their webpage. [^o)]</P>


Here are the correct sound clips:</P>
<UL>
<LI>First Movement</LI>
<LI>Second Movement</LI>
<LI>Third Movement</LI>[/list]


[edit: these clipsmay or may notwork, depending on if you have played some of the website'sother clips first. Sorry if you encounter difficulties. [8-)] ]</P>